PRIVATE minutes of a top-level Labour Party meeting have been sent to rival Liberal Democrat councillors.
The administrative slip-up came after Wigan Council staff typed up the minutes from a sensitive Labour group meeting discussing the councillors involved in the unauthorised use of lap-top computers.
Although grateful of the insight into Labour group workings, Liberal Democrat councillor Robert Bleakley has criticised the Council Tax-funding of the Labour Party.
"I was surprised to receive the minutes, revealing though they were. But I'm more shocked to find out that they have been typed up by council staff in council time at taxpayers' expense. I want to know why," said Hindsford's Cllr Bleakley.
Defending the council's involvement, a spokesman told The Journal that traditionally they had provided a typing service for councillors who required it.
"The service is provided at minimal cost and would be equally provided to councillors of other political persuasion if requested," added the spokesman.
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