Councillor admits benefit fraud

Published 19 May 2010 14:00

A FORMER deputy provost has admitted defrauding Inverclyde Council during a two-year benefit fraud.

Charles McCallum, 68, admitted at Greenock Sheriff Court yesterday that he failed to inform the Department of Work and Pensions that he had begun work as an elected member for Inverclyde North.

The councillor admitted illegally banking pension credits between 4 May 2007 and 29 March last year by failing to notify the DWP that he had began work as a councillor, information that affected his claim, and that he was receiving an allowance and income from the position.

Not guilty pleas to charges of failing to report to the DWP a change in the circumstances of his Disability Living Allowance where there had been an improvement in his health that allowed him to manage his declared incapacities and disabilities, and another of illegally claiming council tax benefit between May 2007 and June last year were accepted by the Crown.

Deferring sentence until June for reports, Sheriff Vincent Canavan said: "This man is a first offender who has just passed his 68th birthday. I will require reports."

Speaking to the Tele after pleading guilty to the charge, the pensioner said the charge he had admitted came about due to an oversight.

He said: "The change in my circumstances when I was elected had an effect on my allowance, but really the charge is a technicality, and I have held my hands up to that.

"My not guilty pleas to the other more serious charges were accepted by the Crown.

"I would like to thank my colleagues and fellow councillors who have been very supportive during a difficult time."

The monetary value of the fraud was not disclosed in court.

McCallum was a Labour party member, but left the group last year.

He was elected in May 2007 and is due to remain in his seat until May 2012.

He now serves as an Independent and sits on a number of prominent committees, including regeneration and licensing.

McCallum refused to comment on his position within the council.

A spokesman for Inverclyde Council confirmed a councillor does not have to resign from his position unless he is given a prison sentence of more than three months.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 19 May 10

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