A council decision to subsidise a local rugby team by up to £164,000 was not properly scrutinised, an internal investigation has revealed.
A review by Salford City Council found the approval of mayor Ian Stewart surrounding the funding for Salford Red Devils was 'not formally recorded' and failed to follow guidelines designed to enhance transparency.
The former council official who proposed the deal later took voluntary redundancy and is now understood to be holding a senior role at Salford Red Devils.
According to the report, the decision to fund match day costs was driven by a desire to maintain the Red Devils' tenancy of its stadium and protect the council's long-term investment in the site.
A Salford City Council spokesperson said: 'The monitoring officer at Salford City Council asked for an investigation following the departure of a strategic director.
'The report has now been made public ahead of the audit and accounts committee meeting next week where consideration will be given to the recommendations.'
Salford City mayor Ian Stewart said: 'I welcome the report by the monitoring officer and I wait to hear the decision on the recommendations from the audit and account committee to make sure our governance process is a strong as possible.
'My actions have always been in the best interests of Salford City Council and I will continue to do so.'
