Ashfield Independents vigorously deny any wrongdoing in the wake of councillor arrests

Coun Jason Zadrozny, party leader and Ashfield Council leader, told the BBC: “We have 100 per cent done nothing wrong.”

The party has also stated no charges have yet been brought against any those arrested.

And it has claimed the arrests have stemmed from a “politically-motivated” complaint against the party.

However, the police have said their investigation remains ongoing.

Nottinghamshire Police confirmed six people had been arrested as part of ongoing investigations into allegations of fraud.

Two men, in their 20s and 40s, and three women in their 30s and 70s were arrested on suspicion of fraud, money laundering and misconduct in public office.

One of the women in her 30s and a man in his 50s were also arrested on suspicion of fraud and electoral offences.

On their Facebook page, the Ashfield Independents said: “We can confirm six members have been questioned by the police.

"This is part of their ongoing investigation that originates from a politically-motivated complaint. Not a single charge has been brought against any person question – not a single one.

“All our councillors vigorously deny any wrongdoing. They are all equally confident in their innocence.”

The Party said the complaints about their members were politically motivated and “wholly unfounded and will be proved to be so”.

Ashfield Independents said they were also now looking at taking possible action against Nottinghamshire Police, in relation to the arrests, adding: “Nottinghamshire Police has already had to pay compensation to Ashfield Independent councillors for false action against them. We will not be making any further statement.

Coun Chris Baron, Conservative member for Hucknall West, said: “All political parties when confronted with these type of accusations, immediately suspend any member involved.

"The Ashfield Independents need to do the same until such time all six elected members have been cleared by Nottinghamshire Police or the courts.

"The Ashfield Independents need to do this to restore confidence to the residents of Ashfield.

“If the Ashfield Independents think they are innocent, and that they have been treated unfairly, perhaps one way forward will be to book a surgery appointment with their local MP to discuss the issues.”

Mark Spencer, Conservative MP for Sherwood constituency, which includes part of Ashfield district, has also called for those councillors who were arrested to stand down until the police investigation is finished.

Posting on his Facebook page, he said: “I am disappointed to hear senior councillors at Ashfield Council have been arrested.

“I believe in the notion you are innocent until proven guilty. However given the nature of the charges and the responsibility these councillors hold, they should step aside to allow the council to not be distracted by the ongoing police investigation.”

And Lee Anderson, Conservative MP for Ashfield, has written to Coun Zadrozny, saying: “After your admission you are one of the suspects arrested, I feel you should now step aside from your duties as council leader until the investigation has been completed and if the other five people arrested are Ashfield Independent councillors, then they should also be removed from any position of authority at Ashfield Council.”

Nottinghamshire Police have been approached for comment regarding the Ashfield Independents’ claims.