TAUNTON Deane Borough Council has been referred to the Serious Fraud Office among allegations of "a multi-million pound council tax scam".

The accusations were brought up in the House of Commons today (Thursday) by Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger.

During business questions, Mr Liddell-Grainger called for an urgent debate on the activities of the Deane.

He said: "The Serious Fraud Office is now investigating a multi-million council tax scam by Taunton Deane Borough council and its officers."

The details of the allegations have not been made public, but an SFO spokesman said: "We can confirm we have received a recent referral.

“The SFO has not opened an investigation at this stage.”

A spokesman for Taunton Deane Borough Council said: “We are not aware of any referral to, or action by, the fraud squad.”