Requests to release details of taxi journeys for councillors paid for using public money have been refused on the grounds of ‘health and safety’, it has emerged.

Tower Hamlets Council’s Tory group leader Cllr Peter Golds asked for details of fares for Independent Councillor Rabina Khan during the second half of last year.

But town hall officers refused his freedom of information (FOI) request, citing health and safety concerns.

Cllr Golds said: “This is an extraordinary abuse of the FOI process, but sadly similar to what we continually see in Tower Hamlets whereby the administration uses threats to close down discussion on their activities.”

A council spokesperson confirmed that address details of some journeys taken by the cabinet member for housing Cllr Khan were withheld on health and safety grounds.

Following the refusal to disclose the information, Cllr Golds has written to town hall chiefs to demand an explanation.