An MP has accused Merton's largest housing association of dragging its feet over the publication of an audit into alleged corruption and mismanagement within its repairs and maintenance service.

Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond is calling on Circle Housing Merton Priory to immediately publish the results of an independent audit into serious fraud allegations and misuse of taxpayers' money.

The audit was ordered after whistleblowers who had left CHMP began to approach the Wimbledon Guardian in September saying their concerns had been ignored when they worked for the association.

The Wimbledon Guardian had begun its own investigation into the housing association prompted by more than 100 complaints from residents about repairs.
 

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HQ: Circle Housing Merton Priory offices in Morden 

Whistleblowers working as surveyors and customer services assistants at the company's Morden headquarters have claimed to the Wimbledon Guardian that contractors Keepmoat Property Services were repeatedly overcharging for repairs as part of a £220m contract.

Residents would end up paying the bill, either through increased service charges, or indirectly through their taxes which fund the works through housing benefit.

September 2014: Independent auditors hired to investigate fraud allegations at Circle Housing Merton Priory

December 2014: Boss of Circle Housing Merton claims 'shocking' repairs in Merton are 'teething problems'

Results of the audit by Rand Associates, a firm of chartered surveyors based in Reigate, were passed on to senior executives in November.

Conservative councillors have allegedly been told that the results might not be shared with Merton Council until March, after they have been reviewed by Circle's board.

But Deborah Upton, a senior executive at CHMP, denied the suggestion that the housing association was deliberately delaying releasing the results.

She said: "We are taking these allegations extremely seriously and remain committed to sharing the full investigation with our board and the local authority as soon as it is complete.

"The initial findings identified areas that require further investigation and this is an urgent priority for us.

"We have already met with the managing director of our contractor and they will be sharing the results of their investigation with us shortly.

"We appreciate that there is interest in the outcome of this report, however it would not be appropriate to release information until we have the full picture."

However, CHMP would not confirm when the findings would be shared with residents and the Wimbledon Guardian.

Mr Hammond said: "From the start, the Council and CHMP were reluctant to hold the audit. Now they are dragging their feet on publishing it.

"Given the severity of the allegations, affecting so many people, it is inconceivable that the CHMP board has not seen this report.

"If they have seen it why haven’t they shared it? If they have not, then clearly they do not take the matter seriously which is scandalous.

"I am demanding immediate publication so that we can get to the bottom of this alleged corruption and have written to the CHMP board requesting an urgent meeting."

Councillor Andrew Judge, Merton Council's cabinet member for regeneration, denied the council had been reluctant to have an audit done on the suspect contracts.

Coun Judge wrote to the Wimbledon Guardian in September calling for an independent audit to investigate the allegations.

Speaking yesterday, he said the report should be published as soon as the full investigation is complete.