Probe at Tamil Community after chief executive suspended

Rajsinghan Jayadevan, director of the London-based registered social landlord, was suspended on 12 April after a row over disciplinary action against a member of staff and allegations that he gave a contract to dispose of abandoned cars to a company of which he was a director.

Jheni Williams, chief executive of the Federation of Black Housing Organisations, has been called in to lead the investigation, which will report next week. The Housing Corporation has been notified.

Jayadevan said his suspension was not valid because it was carried out by the RSL's chair, Nagenthieran Ramraj, and not the board.

And he claimed seven of the board's members had voted to reinstate him on 28 April.

He also said Iver Recycling, of which he is a director, had never been paid to remove abandoned cars for the RSL. But he admitted that it did receive a credit note and kept the cars, which it could sell for scrap.

He added that he had declared his interest in the firm to the Housing Corporation.

He said: "I'm not happy about the appointment of Williams. She won't be independent."

He has appointed a solicitor. "I will consider [claiming for] constructive dismissal," he said.

Consultant Tony Soares, who was appointed as the RSL's locum director after Jayadevan's suspension, admitted the suspension had been carried out by the chair but said it was ratified by the board on 29 April.

He said the investigation would examine some invoices from Iver Recycling to the RSL. And he said solicitors were investigating whether the meeting on 28 April, at which Jayadevan claims he was reinstated, was valid.

He added: "He doesn't want Williams because he thinks she's my friend. She is not. I just thought the FBHO was the right organisation to do it."

Williams said: "It's an independent investigation. It will just look at the information that has been presented."