Labour former council leader accused of fraud

The South Wales Evening Post today accused Derek Vaughan, MEP, the former Neath North councillor and leader of Neath Port Talbot CBC, of claiming money for attending meetings of the South Wales Police Authority at which he was not present. The 2009/10 report of the authority is said to show that over a period of three months, Mr Vaughan was scheduled to attend three full authority meetings as a representative for Neath Port Talbot — but did not attend them.

He also did not go to any "additional events" such as public consultations or meetings with senior officers, according to the Evening Post's information.

Update: Mr Vaughan has informed us that the allowance is paid automatically, not claimed. As soon as he was made aware of the situation, he returned the money. We are happy to correct the impression given by the newspaper report.