AN investigation has been launched following a complaint over an allegation of "corruption" of a parish council's election process.

A former member of Middleton St George Parish Council has accused it of ignoring election rules while appointing a new co-opted member after a series of summer resignations.

Alex Sinski raised concerns after claiming a member was co-opted onto the council despite putting his name forward nine days after the closing date.

The ex-serviceman, who records most council meetings he attends, questioned the accuracy of the minutes of a previous meeting – which he alleges failed to record what happened on the night.

And during Monday night's parish council meeting, he called for members to resign for bringing "shame" on the council.

Council chairman Mike Wilson was advised not to comment on the allegations until the conclusion of an investigation being carried out by Darlington Borough Council's election monitoring officer.

Mr Sinsky told the meeting: "I witnessed corruption of the entire co-option process – a debacle in which you are all complicit. The closing date for applicants was August 14 as per your minutes of July, your announcement on your parish council website and notice boards throughout the village.

"It was confirmed at your meeting on August 14, when you state there were two applicants."

Mr Sinsky said that a third person put his name forward nine days after the date and after a tied vote council chairman Mike Wilson took the casting vote during the September meeting "in which he voted for his friend Ralph Goodchild."

He added: "I will instigate a referendum throughout Middleton St George calling for a vote of 'no confidence' in the current parish council and that all of you resign as parish councillors.

"You have abused your position and the trust that the electorate placed in you – obviously transparency is not a word you recognise.

"If you people are casually prepared to corrupt a process and alter minutes in complete disregard for good practice and procedures, then you are all morally bankrupt.

"You should all be ashamed of what happened."

Earlier, Cllr Catherine Gilsenan, the council's vice chairman, also raised concerns over the accuracy of the minutes of September's meeting and called for a number of alterations to be included.

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council confirmed that a complaint has been received by the authority’s monitoring officer and is being dealt with under the procedures in place for complaints against elected members.