A SPECIAL council committee set up to respond to the District Auditor's Crinkley Bottom investigation has already hit difficulties.

The first meeting has been beset by rows over who should actually be allowed to sit on the committee.

There have been questions raised about four of the seven committee members and now legal advice is being sought to ensure the council takes the appropriate steps.

A council spokesman said: "A number of areas of potential conflict of interest have been raised with the Chief Executive.

Given the importance of this issue, the Chief Executive reported that he will be taking further legal advice to ensure that both the council's position and that of individual members is properly protected."

Following last week's statement of provisional views by the Auditor, which declared that certain actions by the Council had been unlawful, group leaders issued statements thanking the members of the public who had taken their concerns to the auditor.

Independent group deputy leader, Geoff Wilson said: " I think it's great that there are courageous and intelligent people in our district who are motivated by the desire to see open and accountable local government.

We live in a democratic society and Mike Ford had every right to pursue this objection to uncover the truth of what exactly went on during this fiasco.

He should be congratulated for his endeavours and not vilified, as he has been, by those who fear the outcome of the auditor's enquiry.

It wasn't Mike Ford who lost us millions, it was the people who put the Blobby deal together."

Green Deputy Leader, Jon Barry said: "I think that we should be very grateful to the member of the public, Mike Ford, who has put an enormous amount of work into uncovering the complexities of the Blobby fiasco.

Of course, what is particularly sad is that the council were unable to come to the same conclusions.

I know from my own investigations at the time that it wasn't exactly difficult to see the dodgy parts of the council's case."

Conservative leader, James Airey, said: "The Conservatives would certainly like to thank Mike Ford because it's very important that members of the public do show an interest and individuals have played an important part in starting the ball rolling in this damaging and sorry saga.

Some have put a massive amount of time and input into this.

There have been critics but they have stuck to their guns and it is the objectors who have been vindicated judging by the auditor's preliminary findings.

There is a long way to go to repair the damage done to this council by the previous Labour administration but at least now we are moving in the right direction."

Labour's leader Abbott Bryning said he was not prepared to comment.