Anti-transfer campaigners claimed that the association was in breach of the 1965 Industrial and Provident Societies Act, which governed its operation.
Strathclyde Police said: “We can confirm that we have had information from the procurator-fiscal in Glasgow. Initial enquiries are being carried out into the circumstances and a report will be submitted to the procurator-fiscal.”
A spokesman for the new landlord dismissed the allegations as a “tactic” by anti-transfer supporters and said that no one had formally contacted the association.
He added: “This latest tactic by those who refuse to accept the democratic process is sad. It would be better for all to move forward to ensure better housing. GHA will not be deflected from its goals by spurious claims.”
But Sean Clerkin, chair of the Glasgow Campaign Against Stock Transfer, said: “The fact that a police investigation has to be undertaken at all shows the senior management of GHA is incompetent. There is no management structure at all.”
Clerkin claimed that the banks had already raised concerns with the landlord over its management structure and he argued that the fact that the association was subject to a police investigation showed a failure of management.
Anti-transfer campaigner and MSP Tommy Sheridan (pictured) called the association a “Trojan horse plc company”.
Glasgow council said in a statement: “We believe we followed all the procedures in the run up to the ballot and we believe that all the correct procedures were followed.”
A majority of 58.3 per cent of those who voted supported the transfer (Housing Today, 11 April). Glasgow Housing Association is expected to take over all 82,000 council homes in late November.
The investigation by the procurator-fiscal’s office is expected to last several weeks.
Source
Housing Today
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