A TROUBLE-torn race harmony group plunged deeper into turmoil as arguments erupted among council chiefs brought in to broker a peace plan.

Their bid to put an end to power battles which have wreaked havoc at Burnley and Pendle Race Equality Council ended in disarray as they fell out too.

Now Burnley Council says an official report into goings-on at the REC never really existed.

Burnley, Pendle and Lancashire County councils and the Commission for Racial Equality - which give £120,000 funding to the equality group - ordered a full inquiry after power battles among rival factions led to mass resignations by members.

Officers produced a report on the extent of infiltration by bogus organisations as rivals battled for control.

Details of the 20-page report, which recommends sweeping changes to return control of membership of the REC to the funding bodies, were exclusively revealed in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. But when the funders met to discuss the issue, they failed to agree on what action to take. Some wanted a major shake-up of the membership system, while others argued that was not enough because it would leave those presently in power, and accused of manipulating the last REC elections, in continued control.

A further meeting is planned for December 5 and REC chairman, Dr Qazi Jehingar, says he is anxious for the funders to come up with recommendations soon.

He denied the REC would insist on having the final say on membership. REC executive members and officers were this week at pains to deny they had leaked the inquiry report.

Now in a letter, Burnley council officer Ian Monteath says there never was a formal report from the inquiry team.

It was, he said, a draft "which was not accepted by any of the REC's funding organisations and it has since been withdrawn".

REC insiders say this is a smokescreen to head off further embarrassment.

One said: "There certainly is a report produced after many weeks of work which went to all the relevant parties. It was neither accepted nor rejected. "Because it was very critical and would have caused even more trouble, it was agreed the way forward would be to put it to one side, keep it secret, and concentrate only on the recommendations it contained."

County Councillor Joe French, a Lancashire county representative on the inquiry team, says the report does exist, was closely considered and clearly showed the extent of wrong-doing.

He said he was furious at attempts to paper over the cracks: "Those who have taken control by wrongful means should not be allowed to get away with it.

"A steering committee should be set up to take over running of the REC until things are properly sorted out."

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