ESSEX Police has been asked to investigate allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” by councillors at Tendring Council.

Former council leader Peter Halliday made allegations against a number of councillors shortly before he sensationally resigned at a meeting of the council’s cabinet on Friday.

During the meeting he lambasted some of his fellow Conservative councillors as “deceiving, lying individuals”.

He also said some councillors had asked him to put pressure on officers over planning applications.

The council’s chief executive Ian Davidson said that in light of the issues raised in the statement by Mr Halliday a decision has been made to involve the police.

“A number of comments and allegations were made and have been reported further in the local press and the council is taking them very seriously indeed,” he said.

“I have decided to involve the police at this stage and asked them to consider those allegations and it will be up to them whether they investigate the matter.

“I have requested a meeting between myself and police officers to discuss the issue further.”

Mr Davidson added that the council is also looking at the matter through its own internal procedures.