Lawyers raise alarm at struggle to tackle UK local government corruption

Exclusive: Staff and councillors at 36 local authorities accused of financial crime in past decade with dozens arrested and convicted

Lawyers have raised alarm at the lack of oversight in local government, as a Guardian analysis found almost one in 10 councils in the UK have been subject to a corruption investigation in the past decade.

Across the UK, 36 local authorities have had councillors and staff accused of economic crimes including fraud and the misuse of public funds, with dozens arrested and convicted.