Applause for mayor in fraud inquiry.

LABOUR councillors last night gave a show of support for the Mayor of Sef-ton following allegations that a fellow member reported him for benefit fraud.

Cllr John Walker, Mayor since last May, was arrested two weeks ago and questioned by officers from the Department of Work and Pensions, for alleged benefit fraud.

Last night the Labour councillor chaired his first full council meeting since the arrest, and was applauded by some members of his party as he left the council chamber. It followed a turbulent fortnight for members after Crosby's Labour MP Claire Curtis-Thomas suggested a politician within the party was the whistleblower.

Divisions became public on Tuesday when Cllr Neil Douglas, who serves alongside Cllr Walker in Crosby's Manor ward, denied that he was behind the allegations.

Cllr Douglas accused the council of double standards for allowing the Mayor to continue with his duties.