A FORMER councillor who resigned after accusing council colleagues of malpractice is considering standing in the next general election on an anti-corruption ticket.

Adrian Shurmer, a former councillor in the Netherton ward of Great Harwood for 12 months and a retired police officer, resigned from Hyndburn Council last May, after making claims of fraud and corruption within the council.

Now he wants to stand as Hyndburn's MP should there be an election in May.

Following his claims, the local authority became the subject of a year-long, £70,000 investigation by independent auditors, which later found no evidence of criminal activity.

Mr Shurmer, who is married with two sons, said: "I have been making enquires about standing as an independent candidate on an anti-corruption ticket.

"I want people to know that the present system is a law unto itself and that councils are unaccountable.

"Should I stand, I want to bring in a system which makes local government fully accountable so members of the public have the means to investigate them fully.

"I am an ex-police officer and ex-police officers and current police officers have a habit of asking nasty questions."

Commenting on Mr Shurmer's plans, Hyndburn Council leader Coun Peter Britcliffe said: "He was proven to be wrong by independent auditors and caused a lot of havoc --and cost the council and rate payers a lot of money.

"It wouldn't surprise me at all if he is standing as an independent. I only hope he won't get the chance to do the same thing in Westminster."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said he couldn't comment on his would-be challenger, but added: "One of the great things about living in a democratic society is that anyone can stand for election.

"My own view is that the people of Hyndburn will make their own minds up on the bigger issues such as health and education."