A WIRRAL solicitor is threatening to use a legal challenge to bring a draft report on library closures in the borough into the public domain.

David Kirwan is preparing to launch a claim for Judicial Review to force the publication of the report by a government-appointed inspector.

Sue Charteris was asked by the Government to chair a public inquiry into the planned closure of 11 libraries in Wirral after a massive public backlash against the proposals.

These plans were dramatically dropped last month just before Ms Charteris’ report was expected to be published.

However, there has been a long-running argument between the Conservative group and the ruling Labour and Liberal Democrat administration over why some councillors and officers were privy to a draft copy of the report sent to the council for fact checking.

This led to borough solicitor Bill Norman admitting that copies of the report may have been made by some of those he asked to look at it.

Mr Kirwan said revelations Mr Norman does not know precisely who has read the secret report means that it is overwhelmingly in the public interest to publish.

Mr Kirwan, who is also an Independent councillor in Wirral, said: “ The tax-paying voters of Wirral continue to be treated with utter contempt by Wirral Council.

“The latest revelation that the council’s own solicitor doesn’t have a clue exactly who has seen the report is scandalous. In the light of this revelation, we are actively considering launching a Judicial Review to end this suppression once and for all.”