Ashfield MP writes letter to leader of the District Council suggesting he steps aside until police investigation concludes

The MP for Ashfield has written to the leader of Ashfield District Council encouraging him to stand down from his position following his arrest last week.

Lee Anderson wrote the letter to Councillor Jason Zadrozny on Friday (18 November) in the wake of the revelation that six Ashfield Independent Councillors, all of whom are currently serving on the District Council, had been arrested in connection with an ongoing fraud investigation.

The names of the councillors were not made public as no one has been charged, however Councillor Zadrozny did confirm to some members of the press that he had been one of the six arrested.

Now, Mr Anderson has requested a meeting with Councillor Zadrozny and recommended that he steps down from his current role on Ashfield District Council until the police have finished their investigation.

In the letter, which Mr Anderson published on social media, he writes: "Dear Councillor Zadrozny, I hope you are well and settling back in at home after your short stay away.

"It is with great sadness that I must write this letter, but recent events leave me with no choice. I have lost count of how many times you have been arrested over the past few years and to be honest I cannot think of any group of councillors anywhere in the UK that have spent as much time as the Ashfield Independents have in police custody.

"Yesterday it was widely reported in the local and national media that six Ashfield Independent councillors have been arrested and were being investigated for numerous alleged crimes ranging from money laundering to perverting the course of justice.

"I believe the investigations are ongoing and after your admission that you are one of the suspects that was arrested, I feel that you should now step aside from your duties as Council Leader until the investigation has been completed and if as being reported the other five people arrested are Ashfield Independent councillors, then they should also be removed from any position of authority at Ashfield District Council.

"You will be aware of my efforts to secure over £70 million of investment for the area from central government which has now raised dozens of concerns from constituents who have advised me that they do not feel comfortable with this large amount of money being managed from a group of councillors who are under investigation for misconduct in public office, money laundering and fraud.

"Therefore, I would appreciate a meeting at your earliest convenience to discuss how we can hand over responsibility of the financial management of A.D.C to a more competent group until such time you and your colleagues are deemed trustworthy enough to take back control of the finances.

"I look forward to your response."

Following the arrests and subsequent release of the Councillors, the Ashfield Independent Party released a statement in which they said: "All our councillors vigorously deny any wrongdoing. They are all equally confident in their innocence."

Councillor Zadrozny is yet to issue a public response to the letter and has been contacted for comment by Hucknall Nub News.