A FORMAL complaint made by a Tyldesley councillor has been dismissed by Greater Manchester Police.

Clr Robert Bleakley wrote to Ch Con Peter Fahy to complain about council officers he says have wasted police time and resources by involving GMP in politically motivated complaints against three opposition councillors.

The letter reads: “Officers of Wigan Council have engaged in several malicious politically motivated complaints to GMP as part of a wider smear campaign.

“Each and every one of the complaints has been dismissed by GMP or the Crown Prosecution Service. This has been a huge and shocking waste of police time and public money.”

But GMP and the council dismissed the councillor’s claims that the complaints were a waste of time.

Chf Supt Shaun Donnellan said: "Thanks to the excellent relationship that exists between Wigan Council and GMP, any potential offences are dealt with promptly by my officers.

“Elected members need to understand that their office does not allow them to break the law or engage in behaviours that may attract a police investigation.

"I am unaware of any complaints from Wigan Council being dismissed by GMP or CPS. Every complaint is considered on its own individual circumstances and the feelings and views of the victim.

“Some cases are taken to court some are not, it is all dependent upon the factors of the case.

"I am satisfied that each allegation was made with the best intentions and far from wasting police time, I would encourage any other suspected offences to be passed on to me from Wigan Council."

Donna Hall, chief executive of Wigan Council, said: “Wigan Council historically has the highest number of Standards complaints of any council nationally. This is down to just a few councillors.

"We have not engaged in any ‘smear campaign’. We have investigated in accordance with our protocol when we have received reports of improper behaviour by any councillor.

"In some instances, due to the seriousness of the allegations – and an admission of guilt in one case - we have had no choice but to pass on the information to the police."