West Yorkshire councillor and Blackpool MP under investigation over finances and conduct

A West Yorkshire councillor who was elected as an MP at last year’s election is under investigation over finances and his conduct.

Scott Benton, who represents Brighouse on Calderdale Council, is being investigated over what he has said is an “an admin error” over payments made to him by the council which have not been properly declared.

Mr Benton, who was elected as the Conservative MP for Blackpool South in December, said he had no doubts the complaints would be thrown out.

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But the Blackpool Gazette newspaper reported he was facing two separate inquiries, one over his conduct and a second over his finances.

Scott Benton. Photo: JPI MediaScott Benton. Photo: JPI Media
Scott Benton. Photo: JPI Media

The newspaper reported that Mr Benton was facing investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, while Calderdale Council had also received what Mr Benton called a “vexatious and deeply unpleasant” complaint.

Mr Benton told the Blackpool Gazette: “I have no doubt that the complaints... made about me to Calderdale Council and the Parliamentary authorities will be found to be without substance.”

One complaint, made to the parliamentary authorities and seen by The Yorkshire Post, centres around the payments Mr Benton receives for his council role, which while not against the rules, must be reported to parliamentary authorities within 28 days.

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But on June 25 he reported payments adding up to £2,756.29 dating back to January.

By September records had been updated to show he was actually paid £4,737.62 in that time and he expected to receive £879.92 a month from the council “until further notice”.

Mr Benton told the Blackpool Gazette: “All of my financial interests have been properly registered with the Parliamentary authorities.

“Due to an admin error on my part, some of the details of these have since been updated.”

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The second complaint, made to Calderdale Council, was regarding his conduct.

Ian Hughes, head of legal services at Calderdale Council, said: “Any code of conduct matter for any member of this authority remains confidential until the matter is concluded.”

Mr Benton also said he aims to stand down as a Calderdale councillor as soon as an election can be held.

He said his councillor allowance was donated to charity but declined to say which one when asked.