A ROW has erupted over where the chairman of Liverpool’s planning committee lives, after he was allegedly followed by “private investigators”.

Cllr Dave Irving, who represents Knotty Ash for the Liberal Democrats, claimed that the Labour Party had him followed.

Labour claim the party was anonymously sent a dossier containing evidence that allegedly shows Cllr Irving lives in Southport.

Cllr Irving said he spends the week living with his son in Moscow Drive, in Tuebrook, and spends weekends in Southport with his ex-wife, Yvonne.

Liverpool city council’s solicitor Paul Evans has been asked by Labour to investigate the claims against Cllr Irving. Under council rules, candidates must have lived in the council area they are standing in for the whole of the previous 12 months at the time of nomination, or be registered as an elector for the council area in which they wish to stand or have worked in the area.

Cllr Irving, a retired police officer, lists his home address as being Moscow Drive. He also owns a home in Dunbar Road, Southport.

The allegations against Cllr Irving were presented to him and the police last year ahead of the May local elections.

Police decided to take no further action, and Cllr Irving refused to remove himself from nomination.