THURROCK residents have forced a "humiliating U-turn" on a decision not to call for a public inquiry into the borough council's "debt albatross of more than £1 bllion" – thanks to a 1,500-signature petition.

Conservatives on Thurrock Council have previously steadfastly resisted a public inquiry into how it accrued the colossal debt thanks to a string of failed investments made with money borrowed from other councils.

In July last year they defeated an opposition motion at full council calling for a public inquiry by just one vote, the casting second vote from mayor Cllr Sue Little.

The authority also rejected calls for an enquiry via an online petition.

However, on behalf of residents, local campaigner Kabul Sandu won the right to present a new petition when he appeared before the council's cabinet in January and last night (Wednesday, 31 January) he spoke to full council.

Acknowledging the petition's receipt, Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Conservative leader of the council, agreed to write to the Secretary of State to request a public inquiry takes place.

Mr Sandu told members: "The bankruptcy of Thurrock is different from that of other councils in the scale of its £1.5 billion squander and the manner in which it was incurred.

"This is the council whose director of finance met a businessman in a salubrious hotel. Why there? Any minutes taken? What was agreed? We need transparency and accountability. Who signed off the contract? Him alone? The chief executive? Who else?"

Mr Sandu asked what consequences the former chief executive Lyn Carpenter and finance director Sean Clark had faced after the council borrowed "seven times more than the council's income".

He said: "Were they allowed to run off with golden handshakes? Residents need to know. We residents have a £1.5billion debt albatross around our neck."

The council has claimed a Best Value Inspection carried out by Government appointed commissioners after it effectively declared bankruptcy and an inquiry into Mr Clark by his professional body, the Financial Reporting Council, was sufficient investigation of the financial meltdown.

Kabul Sandu (left) and fellow local residents campaigner Peter O'Rourke with the petition.

Yesterday Thurrock's Conservative MP Jackie Doyle-Price said she believed a public inquiry would be a 'waste of money' and would achieve nothing that was not already known.

Cllr Jeffries said he agreed with that position, however he surprised many in the chamber when saying: "The public tonight have spoken and I believe it is right for the petition to be enacted due to the strength of the public's opinion that the council should write to the Secretary of State to request a review.

"The council does not have the power to call for or set up a public inquiry. However, what I would like to suggest is that myself and the leader of the opposition will send a letter to the Secretary of State asking him to consider holding a public inquiry."

Cllr Jefferies announces the Conservative U-turn.

Cllr Jefferies said he had had meetings with Essex Police who had yet to decide whether to launch a criminal inquiry but that remained a possibility.

Cllr John Kent, leader of the Labour Group, called the change of stance a "humiliating U-turn.

He added: "I'm slightly stunned by what we've heard from the leader of the council. A long argument about why we shouldn't have a public inquiry, about how it's a waste time and a waste of money but ends up with 'we'll ask for one anyway'."

Cllr Neil Speight, lead spokesperson for the five independents on the council, called the Conservative leadership a "pack of weasels" before adding: "They should not take pride in the fact that as we approach an election, under pressure, they have done the right thing."

After the meeting Cllr Kent said: "I want to thank all those residents who organised and presented this petition - the people of Thurrock deserve a comprehensive investigation into the financial collapse of the council and I hope the Secretary of State will now ensure it happens.

Cllr John Kent addressed full council last night.

"I suspect this humiliating Tory u - turn is more to do with May's local elections than any genuine change of heart but I welcome it all the same."

And Cllr Speight, who was denied the right to speak in the wording of the recommendation by the mayor, says he has deep concerns that what happened at full council and that members were asked to vote, without a seconder or a on a written and agreed recommendation, has the appearance of a whitewash.

"What happened last night is that the Conservatives, on the doorsteps in the build-up to an election, can legitimately say they agreed at council that an inquiry should be called.

"However, just agreeing to a request for it to happen will not make it happen. No-one who voted last night knows what the request to the minister will say.

"How strong will the request be? What evidence will support it? Will it mention the request is the will of the residents?

"There are so many unknowns. I wanted the meeting to have a firm statement of what was being agreed but I was not allowed to do that. I wanted the recommendation in full to be read out, to be proposed and seconded as the constitution allows. The best value report that has been referred to so often was quite specific that the council need to meticulously follow its constiution and its rules.

"That was said to be a serious and consistent failing of the administration - yet again last night the administration in the form of the leader and the mayor ensured, through wilful means when alternatives were available, not to follow the constitution or the best value advice.

"Not only is last night's recommendation weak, in my view, it is open to challenge that it is unlawful. I wonder what the Tory vote might have been had there been far more detail in what they were voting on?

"I hope no-one thinks this is a completed mission, I have grave reservations about how compelling the argument will be that is put before Mr Gove.

"It was agreed that myself and Cllr Kent will have some input into the drafting of the letter. I expect that to be a very difficult meeting because I and the council colleagues I have been asked to represent don't want a two line bit of waffle landing on Mr Gove's desk.

Cllr Neil Speight speaking at last night's meeting.

"We want a weighty and compelling document laying all the concerns so eloquently expressed by Mr Sandu."

The guidance to ministers on commissioning a public inquiry says: "Only Government Ministers can establish a statutory inquiry.

"Those seeking a statutory inquiry into a particular matter must persuade the relevant Minister" - in this case Mr Gove, who has previously been a strong advocate of the views of Dame Jackie Doyle-Price - who is clearly, and has publicly stated, her opposition to a public inquiry.

Last year Mr Gove said of the Thurrock MP: "My hon. Friend has been a consistent voice in challenging underperformance at Thurrock Council, and a brave voice in attempting to face down populism in her constituency, in order to do the very best for her constituents."

Cllr Speight concluded: "Given the level of 'populism' in much of last night's rhetoric and what has gone before, it might not seem to much of a point to stretch that Mr Gove may be swayed as much by Dame Jackie's view as that of a residents' petition."