A KIRKLEES councillor has admitted benefit fraud.

Clr Tony Brice yesterday pleaded guilty to falsely obtaining £2,977,32 in benefits from Kirklees Council.

It means his future on the council is uncertain – he has the option of resigning, but he will be referred to the Kirklees Council’s Standards Committee, a date of which has not yet been set, and they will decide if he should remain on the council.

Brice, of Belmont Close, Highfields, admitted his guilt when he appeared at Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court yesterday afternoon.

He spoke only to confirm his name, address and age and it was his solicitor who submitted Brice’s guilty pleas.

The court clerk told Dewsbury magistrates that Brice “appeared charged with three allegations of dishonest benefit fraud” – charges which had been put to him when he appeared at Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court on November 9.

But Kirklees prosecutor Sarah Swarbrick said that the dishonesty aspect was being withdrawn from the charges.

Instead he was re-charged with three charges of benefit fraud and his guilty pleas were submitted for each charge.

There were no details given as to the type of benefit he was overpaid but failed to inform the authority.