New date to return to a police station moved for a second time

Police have pushed back the bail date for seven people arrested in connection with alleged fraud at a secondary school.

All were questioned following claims that up to �1.6million in bonuses had been paid to senior staff members at Copland Community School in Cecil Avenue, Wembley.

They were due to answer bail last Friday but it has now been extended until May 24 after being pushed back from last September.

Those arrested are former headteacher Sir Alan Davies and former deputy head, Dr Richard Evans, who were arrested on suspicion of fraud in March last year.

Dr Evans’s wife, Lesley, who worked at the school, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and theft.

A week later the former school bursar, Columbus Udokoro and former human resources manager, Michelle Bishop, were arrested.

Last April, the former chairman of governors, Dr Indravaden Patel and the former vice-chairman of the board of governors, Martin Day, were arrested too, all on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.

The Met Fraud Squad began an investigation into allegations associated with the school’s finances in June 2010.

Sir Alan, who was knighted for services to education, resigned before he was due to face a disciplinary panel, while Dr Evans was dismissed after failing to attend a disciplinary hearing. Mr Udokoro and Ms Bishop also resigned from their posts.