A REQUEST for an independent investigation into a whistleblower's revelations that vulnerable adults in care were overcharged for years will be made to Wirral Council this evening.

Moreton councillor Simon Mountney insists it is still not clear who is ensuring that the adults in council care are receiving "adequate" protection.

He has been backing former social services manager Martin Morton, whose whistleblowing allegations were exclusively revealed in the Globe on November 5 last year.

In September this year, an audit committee discussed a report that confirmed several incidences of over-charging of 15 people by a total sum of £116,000.

But Mr Morton told the committee that the sum was considerably higher than that, and it will meet again tomorrow evening at Wallasey Town Hall after asking officers to further investigate those claims.

Mr Morton is also unhappy with the recorded minutes of the September meeting which he says "bear little or no resemblance" to the gathering itself.

In a notice of motion at tonight's full council meeting, Cllr Mountney will say: "There remains a substantial risk that users receiving services from one of the council service providers are being charged unfairly.

"It is not clear who is currently ensuring that these service users are receiving adequate protection from the risk of financial abuse."

Cllr Mountney will then demand an independent review of the over-charging incidences.

Tomorrow night's meeting of the audit committee, meanwhile, will hear that other councils have been "critical" of Wirral's "high" charging policy.