A GWENT councillor involved in awarding a care contract to the wife of a former social services chairman said he believes "nothing untoward" happened during the process.

Blaenau Gwent councillor Brian Thomas is a member of the social services committee which awarded the major contract to the wife of a Councillor Brian Scully, despite it being potentially £3.15 million more expensive than the lowest bid.

Councillor Thomas, Liberal councillor for Sirhowy, was one of 25 members at the meeting where four applicants made presentations and one - Christine Scully, Councillor Scully's wife - was then chosen by secret ballot.

The Argus reported on Saturday how independent auditor Tony Morgan described the decision to award the contract to Mrs Scully as perverse, inconsistent and possibly unlawful.

Mrs Scully's bid was £126,000 a year - or 84 per cent - more expensive than the lowest tender received for the 25-year contract. Councillors and officers were at fault, said Mr Morgan. The council has claimed it acted in good faith.

Councillor Scully did not attend meetings of the social services committee when the contract was discussed, subsequent to August 2000, but the auditor questioned whether other members were able to demonstrate that they acted with proper disinterest and impartiality.

But Councillor Thomas said: "It was all above board. The presentation was excellent and as far as I am concerned nothing untoward happened." Meanwhile, the National Assembly will this week consider the auditor's report.

An Assembly spokeswoman said: " We need to see the report before deciding whether or not we need to take any action.

"But we would fully expect the local authority to respond to the auditor's report."

The auditor recommended that before formally committing itself to the contract, the council should have all the bids independently appraised, reconsider the awarding of the contract and examine how such a situation might be avoided in the future.