TNS boss Mike Harris could stand for seat on Shropshire Council

Mike Harris is currently embroiled in a legal battle with the unitary authority over an £80,000 legacy grant given to the club in 2012.

The council says the money should have been paid back to local organisations but Mr Harris says that a grant is not repayable if the terms of the agreement are met.

Earlier this week Councillor Matt Lee, who works for TNS, stood down from the ruling Conservative Party to become an independent councillor.

Mr Harris said he applauded Councillor Lee's principled stance and said he himself may stand to become a councillor at the next elections.

"To be honest I am disgusted with the way politics is going," he said.

"Councillors make out they are important but when it comes to it, most of them can't stand up to be counted.

"Surely, as custodians of the public purse, it is the responsibility of councillors that are in possession of all the facts that to ensure that taxpayer’s money is spent wisely and not wasted on unjustifiable and costly legal actions.

Documentation

"I am aware that several of the councillors who are in possession of the facts have expressed serious doubts about the council’s position. There also seems to be many unable to gain an accurate understanding of this dispute as the council, has deleted the relevant documentation.

"I have full and detailed documentation and would like to make an open offer to view this to all councillors that wish to gain a better understanding of the current situation.

"This will enable them to make up their own minds regarding a situation that is destined for costly legal action in the courts.

"I also welcome the growing calls for an independent and rigorous review which will reveal the facts and who was responsible for the mishandling of this grant. Only then can we finally put to bed an issue that has dragged on for too long and tarnished the reputations of both Shropshire Council and respected local businesses."

Claire Porter, head of legal and democratic services with Shropshire Council, said: “We have commenced court proceedings and we are therefore unable to make any further comment during the course of the litigation.”