Party leaders in Harrow are to meet to set the parameters for a tax payer-funded investigation into alleged institutional racism at Harrow Council.

Accusations were continually levelled throughout last year by Independent Labour against Harrow Council, a senior council officer and the Labour party with whom they split back in May.

When arriving in power in September last year, Tory leader Councillor Susan Hall said that the authority will launch an independent investigation into the allegations, but since then no progress has been made.

On Wednesday however, Councillor Krishna James (Independent Labour) demanded an update, which prompted Independent Labour leader Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar and Labour leader Councillor David Perry to agree to meet by the end of January to strike out how the investigation will be held.

Speaking on Wednesday at Harrow Council's cabinet meeting, Ms Hall said: "The fact that it [the investigation] is done properly is far more important than it being done quickly.

"This work will be funded by tax payer money which means it is absolutely essential that it is sound."

Mr Perry and the council have continually rubbished the claims made by members of Independent Labour, including the Mayor of Harrow Nana Asante.

The investigation will be carried out by an independent equalities lawyer.