A LEIGH man has become embroiled in allegations a top official in the Royal Household received more than £100,000 to award contracts for work at royal parties.

Ron Harper, who worked as deputy property manager at the Royal Household for 18 years, is charged with four counts of conspiracy to give and receive corrupt payments.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, alongside his relative Alan Rollinson, 65, of Leigh, who is charged with one count of converting or transferring criminal property.

Between 2006 and 2011, it is alleged Mr Harper was paid the cash by Christopher Murphy, Aseai Zlaoui, David Woodhams, Bernard Gackowski and Steven Thompson, the directors of three companies which were, during the same period, each awarded large contracts for work at the Royal Palaces. Two of the three companies additionally received royal warrants.

A fourth company, it is alleged, was also awarded work in the palaces and provided Mr Harper with an oil tank and boiler system for his home free of charge. Harper was suspended in 2012 after the allegations came to light in a Leicestershire Police investigation.

Harper, who lives in Sudbury, Suffolk, his relative Rollinson, along with seven other men and one woman, all deny the offences.

The case has been sent for trial at Southwark Crown Court with a scheduled next hearing of August 12.