An investigation has been launched into a racial equality group following allegations of financial misconduct.

Harrow Council has launched an independent review into Harrow Council for Racial Equality (HCRE) and suspended its £57,585 annual funding while it is investigated.

The investigation announced today by Harrow Council will examine whether the HCRE, which employs three full-time and four part-time workers, has breached the performance and management agreements it agreed in return for local authority funding.

The trustees are already investigating the conduct of their Director, Prem Pawar, who has been faced with allegations of misconduct over the financial running of the organisation and has been suspended on full pay since August last year.

The investigation, which is expected to take a month, will be led by Khurshid Ahmed, a former commissioner for the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) since 2002 and a member of the Attorney General's Diversity Advisory Group.

Councillor Chris Mote, portfolio holder for community and cultural services, said: "We feel it is the right course that an independent expert looks into these very serious claims.

"Harrow Council is committed to the work of black and minority ethnic organisations and alongside this we have an equal commitment to ensuring organisations funded by council tax payers' money are properly accountable and run in a transparent way."