Millionaire held in council probe

Mo Chaudry has been bailed until June

A millionaire owner of a Stoke-on-Trent attraction has been arrested as part of an investigation into corruption and misconduct at the city council.

Waterworld owner Mo Chaudry was arrested by Staffordshire Police on Wednesday and bailed until June.

He said his dealings with the council had been "completely above board".

Labour mayor Mark Meredith and Stoke city councillor Roger Ibbs have also been bailed until June as part of the inquiry. No charges have been brought.

Mr Chaudry's press representative Robin Swinbank said his client had spoken to police, as he had previously volunteered to, in connection with the investigation into the city's council's ownership of the Dimensions leisure centre.

'Entirely properly'

Mr Swinbank said: "He co-operated fully with these police investigations and has not been charged.

"I just want to make clear that my client's position is that he is entirely happy that his dealings with the council have been completely above board.

"My client is confident that any such investigation will show that he has acted entirely properly throughout this matter."

The city council has confirmed its own investigation began with the proposals to close the Splash Pool at Dimensions in Burslem.

In March, Mr Meredith was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and complicity in corruption while in public office.

It followed the arrest on 27 February of Mr Ibbs, also on suspicion of corruption in public office.

Staffordshire Police said the third arrest was part of an inquiry into matters referred to them by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

In a statement, the force said it was carrying out a detailed investigation and pursuing a number of lines of inquiry.