Calls for the chief executive of Waltham Forest council to resign from his post were echoed around Westminster Magistrates court this morning after the council admitted putting its own staff and visitors at risk.

In 2002 the council was made aware of asbestos in the basement area of the town hall.

However, no further checks or monitoring was carried out.

In 2012 the Health and Safety Executive launched an investigation which found the presence of three kinds of asbestos, including cancer-causing dust.

It was community worker Nick Tiratsoo, of Odessa Road in Leytonstone, who alerted the HSE to the issue.

He used his rights under the Freedom of Information Act to ask for councillors expenses.

He was told then he could not be given original documents because of the contamination.

“We are obviously very grateful that the HSE took the complaint seriously. This case emphasises the importance of the Freedom of Information Act which allows individuals to hold authorities to account.

“I believe there have been a serious number of people exposed to asbestos in the town hall over the years.

“It makes me sick to my stomach to think the public authority did not do the most fundamental of checks and protect its own staff and people who visited the town hall.

“Martin Esom, the chief executive, comes from a health and safety background, he knows perfectly well what the rules are. He should resign.”

Trevor Calver of Larkshall Road in Chingford also uses FOI to hold the authority to account with Mr Tiratsoo.

He said: “The council completely failed to comply with the rules and regulations surrounding health and safety.

“Both employees and members of the public may have been put at risk of the detrimental affect asbestos can have on not only individuals, but their families.”

Unison local authority branch secretary Dave Knight also called for Mr Esom’s resignation.

He said: “First of all we are delighted the HSE took the case on and the judge found it serious enough to be dealt with by a crown court.

“Many of our members have been exposed to asbestos as a result of the council’s failings.

“I have members who worked down in the print room for 36 or 18 hours per week.

“This happened on the chief executive’s watch and he should resign.”

A judge ruled this morning the case was serious enough to be heard in a crown court.

The council will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on February 2.