Westminster Scandal: How the scandal unfolded
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Your support makes all the difference.July 1987: Westminster council's housing committee approves a policy of designated sales, whereby rented council properties in eight marginal wards would be sold to buyers allegedly judged to be more likely to vote Tory.
July 1989: BBC's Panorama accuses council of seeking to manipulate electorate.
July 1989: Formal objection lodged with district auditor by 13 Westminster residents.
December 1989 and May 1990: Submissions from council in response.
June 1990: Auditor begins to study papers.
December 1990: Auditor conducts the first of 135 interviews.
April 1991: Dame Shirley ends eight-year reign as leader.
December 1992: Auditor reviews evidence and decides on need for further interviews.
February 1993: Lady Porter resigns as councillor.
April 1993: Search of council offices reveals new documents.
January 1994: Auditor's provisional report published.
October 1994: Public hearings begin into findings.
February 1995: Hearings end.
May 1996: Final report.
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