A Lord has called for a police investigation into the expenses claims of Welcome to Yorkshire’s former chief executive.

Sir Gary Verity resigned on health grounds from Welcome to Yorkshire last week but, since his departure, concerns have been raised about his expenses.

Lord Paul Scriven, of Sheffield, says he is “astounded and angered” that the board of Welcome to Yorkshire is not asking police to investigate Sir Gary’s expenses.

He said: “Welcome to Yorkshire in the last five years has received £14.9 million pounds of taxpayers money.

“Gary Verity was paid £243,000 a year. It is now clear that he claimed expenses that he was not entitled to.

“I am both astounded and angry that the board of Welcome to Yorkshire has refused to hand this over to the police to investigate possible crimes with regards to these expense claims.  

“As this is taxpayers money I have now contacted the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire and ask her force to investigate this issue to see if criminal charges can be brought.”

Lord Scriven also called for the resignation of the chairman of Welcome to Yorkshire Ron McMillan over what he called "a serious lack of judgment by refusing to call in the police."

Welcome to Yorkshire was unavailable for comment.

West Yorkshire Police said: “We have not received a complaint from Welcome to Yorkshire, however, we can confirm that we have recently received a report from Lord Scriven who has expressed his concerns.”

Sir Gary oversaw Welcome to Yorkshire for more than a decade and was part of the team that brought the opening stages of the 2014 Tour de France to Yorkshire.