THE former boss of an Academy Trust stormed out of an interview having been questioned about how it spent public money.

Michael Dwan set up the Bright Tribe Trust, which took over Colchester Academy in 2015.

The trust has been accused of failing to spend close to £1 million in public money on school improvements.

A BBC Panorama programme to be aired tonight and was featured on Radio 4’s Today programme this morning.

Reporter Bronagh Munro said: “The trust received money for building work, lighting and fire safety improvements.

“More than half a million pounds was given to Colchester Academy to demolish internal walls in the sports centre. Instead they were patched up with metal braces.

"Bright Tribe was also given quarter of a million pounds for fire safety improvements but they left a void in the ceiling and failed to replace fire doors.”

Mr Dwan claims he spent £2.4 million on his schools. He said: “We not only did the work, we ensured the building was safe.”

But when repeatedly asked if carried out the specific improvements, he asked for the interview to be stopped. Two months ago he cut all ties with Bright Tribe.

James Bacon, former assistant principal at Colchester Academy, was interviewed for the documentary.

He left in June 2016 after submitting Freedom of Information requests regarding accounts.

He said: “I had significant concerns about how the companies were being set up and how they lacked any oversight.

“I was told they had been not for profit organisations trying to help us.”

He is setting up a petition to issue a termination notice to the trust at petition.parliament.uk/petitions/228507.

Tim and Julie Young, two Colchester councilliors who represent Greenstead were interviewed for the programme. 

The pair have previously raised concerns over the school's leadship since it was taken over by the trust. 

A trust spokesman said they appointed new leadership and were working to address matters as swiftly as possible.