Seven staff blamed for helping to land a £7.5 million compensation bill on Birmingham housing department have been sacked.
The seven had been responsible for examining council houses where tenants were suing the council for allowing the properties to fall into disrepair.
Three of the seven have now found jobs with the same legal firms which pocketed millions by winning compensation for tenants, it emerged today.
The manager of the seven-strong team, whose council home inspections were supposed to gather evidence to help fight off the compensation claims, has taken early retirement. The clear-out comes after an Evening Mail expos of how compensation culture is a gravy train for "no win, no fee" solicitors.
They are leafleting and door knocking council estates in the city to drum up business.
The council has been meekly handing over £7.5 million a year to settle the
claims instead of investigating and contesting them. Lawyers have pocketed £4.5 million, with the rest going on tenants' compensation and repairs.
Scrutiny chief Coun Frank Coyne, whose investigation uncovered the scandal, said: "The seven agency staff were employed to go out and examine properties involved in disrepair claims.
"Their productivity was not as good as it should have been and that is as far as I can go.
"We never contested any claims and they have all been sacked. Three have gone to work for the solicitors who are cleaning up."
