THE Northern Echo has been asking some awkward questions about the background to the council negligence which exposed staff at a North-East swimming pool to dangerous asbestos over five years.

Last month, Wear Valley District Council was fined £18,000 after admitting to breaches of health and safety regulations, described by Government inspectors as some of the worst ever seen in the region.

The council had been told about potentially deadly asbestos at Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex in Bishop Auckland in 2001 but did nothing to protect its workers who are now living in fear of developing the disease.

None of the senior managers responsible at the time have been called to account because magistrates were told they have all moved on from the authority.

But this is such a serious case, with on-going implications for the exposed workers, that we do not believe it is good enough for taxpayers to pay the fine and for the bosses responsible to escape any degree of responsibility.

Since the scandal emerged in court, we have been seeking to establish which officers were responsible, but the waters are muddy.

We therefore welcome today's announcement that the council is to launch an inquiry to establish the truth.

It is an inquiry which is long overdue. Indeed, we believe there have been attempts to cover up what amounts to appalling mismanagement.

We look forward to Wear Valley District Council's conclusions being made public.