Further evidence has emerged of the confusion surrounding Waltham Forest council’s handling of asbestos in its buildings, which resulted in staff being exposed to the deadly substance over a number of years.

The authority this week was convicted of knowingly putting workers at risk in areas of the town hall in Forest Road, Walthamstow.

Now the company which council chief executive Martin Esom confirmed was contracted to advise on asbestos matters throughout the period has denied any involvement in the scandal.

Norfolk Property Services London (NPSL) was formed in 2007 as part of a deal between the council and Norfolk Property Group on a multi-million contract to act as a consultant to the authority and procure services for construction matters.

The council took 20 per cent ownership of NPSL and secured two seats on its board.

Board members have included Mr Esom, council leader Chris Robbins, mayor Terry Wheeler and cabinet member for business Mark Rusling.

Mr Esom has previously said NPSL was charged with advising the council on asbestos, but today a company spokesman said it “nothing to do” with it.

Mr Esom also confirmed that, in order to avoid a conflict of interest, he tasked his deputy Shifa Mustafa to report to the council’s cabinet on NPSL’s work on asbestos.

It has now emerged there is no documentary evidence on the advice given, with an FOI request confirming it was done verbally.

The council this week admitted to not protecting staff at the town hall from all three types of asbestos, including one which causes lung cancer.

The court head the authority was first warned in 2002 about the issue but failed to act and did not properly manage checks.

The issue only came to light when resident Nick Tiratsoo was told he could not be sent documents requested under the Freedom of Information Act as they were covered in asbestos dust.

Council employee Kenneth Moore, who worked in infected areas, said the council put his life at risk.

Mr Tiratsoo said: “It is clear that the council operated a grossly inadequate reporting system over asbestos in the crucial years 2011 and 2012 when deadly dust was infecting the Town Hall, and while chief executive Martin Esom certainly has some explaining to do, so do councillors like Terry Wheeler and Mark Rusling, who were on the board of NPS London Ltd., and must have known what was going on.”

The council pleaded guilty to four counts of failing to protect the health and safety of employers and others at the town hall.

They will next appear in Snaresbrook Crown Court on February 2.