The internal audit began after an anonymous letter to council leader Jim Logue made “serious allegations of corruption” about the council’s procurement processes.

Police have been kept up to date with the situation.

An article in The Herald has named head of corporate property and procurement John Gordon as one of three senior officials suspended in the probe. According to the publication, Gordon is joined by asset manager Eric Hislop and property maintenance and improvement manager Eddie McCluskey.

The Herald also understands that the investigation is also focusing on Alex Grey, a recently retired official from the same department.

North Lanarkshire Council said it had taken the action against three members of staff from its corporate property and procurement department while a disciplinary investigation takes place but has not confirmed any names.

Chief executive Paul Jukes said: “I received an extensive report from internal audit last Friday (September 30).

“Having considered the report, I have taken the decision to suspend three members of staff from Corporate Property and Procurement on full pay to allow for a disciplinary investigation to take place.

“The council will have no further comment to make while this disciplinary investigation is carried out.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the corruption investigation centred around central heating company Saltire, though SCN now understands that Saltire is involved with a separate investigation within North Lanarkshire Council.