THURROCK MP Jen Craft says she is going to consult Essex Police about the possibility of it launching an investigation into possible fraud or criminal activity related to the financial collapse of Thurrock Council that left local residents dealing with the legacy of a debt mountain of more that £1 billion.

Ms Craft was speaking after a rejection by her Labour colleague and local government minister Jim McMahon of a cross-party plea from councillors for the government to launch a full independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the council's downfall.

It was the second time inside 12 months that the government has rejected such an appeal from Thurrock Council members. A unanimous request in February last year, sparked by a public petition of resident signatories across the borough, was rejected by then Tory local government minister Simon Hoare.

Thurrock Council's Labour leader, Cllr John Kent has spoken of response to that decision, saying: "I am disappointed that the case we have made for a full inquiry into the financial catastrophe that Thurrock Conservatives delivered has, again, been rejected.

"We will be considering further options, and I am seeking a meeting with the minister to put our case personally."

And Conservative opposition leader Cllr Andrew Jefferies says: "When in administration we supported all avenues open to the Council to recover funds and to hold those responsible to account. In light of the government refusing a public enquiry I would ask the Leader of the Council to update all councillor on the various investigations and for Essex Police to also update councillors and the residents of Thurrock on whether there will be a criminal investigation."

Legal action is taking place against entrepreneur Liam Kavanagh (left) and finance watchdogs are looking into the actions of borough finance boss Sean Clark, and that's enough said then minister Simon Hoare, rejecting a plea from residents led by Kabul Sandu (right)

In the wake of the rejection, Ms Craft and East Thurrock Reform MP James McMurdock have also spoken up.

Ms Craft has gone as far as saying she will personally contact the police, telling Thurrock Nub News: "There is a lot to be learnt from the events leading to the reckless bankrupting of Thurrock Council by the former Conservative administration.

"People in Thurrock deserve to know how this was allowed to happen, and those responsible must be held to account for their malpractice and impropriety in office.

"A public inquiry is one means of achieving this and is something I have asked the Prime Minister for in the past. We must now focus on supporting ongoing local inquiries.

"If these cannot give us the answers we need, I will continue to push ministers for an inquiry.

"And I will be asking the police about the potential for criminal investigations."

Mr McMurdock, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, told Nub News: ""Transparency is one of the most important ingredients to improving processes and avoiding repeating the same mistakes in the future.

"Taxpayers' money was squandered and wasted, and everyone's quality of life is worse for it. I have made this abundantly clear through asking the Prime Minister to review the loan repayment arrangements which are benefitting the Treasury but hindering Thurrock council and the residents who live there. 

"Reform UK are doing all that we can to hold the government to account, but it is clear that they have a culture of not dealing with these important issues head on.

James McMurdock.

"First, Labour refuses an enquiry into the mass rape of vulnerable children. Now they even refuse an enquiry into loss of around a billion pounds worth of taxpayers' money.

"If it looks like a shameless cover up, and walks like a shameless cover up, then it probably is."

A spokesperson for Essex Police told Thurrock Nub News today (Thursday, 13 February): "Currently there is no criminal investigation ongoing but specialist officers continue to liaise with Thurrock Council, the Best Value Inspection team, and other partners.

"We will act upon any referrals or information that we receive."