Police have decided not to investigate a headteacher who was sacked after financial irregularities were uncovered at his school.

Mark Mahoney was suspended from Winston Way Primary School in Ilford in December while an investigation was carried out by Redbridge Council.

The authority confirmed this week he has been dismissed and Debra Webb will continue act as executive headteacher in the short-term.

In a statement to the Guardian, a spokeswoman for Redbridge Police said the force was aware of the case.

But she added: "The investigation was held by the school. Police are not investigating."

Redbridge Council has been unable to say if it contacted police before, during or after its own probe.

Mr Mahoney has led the school, in Winston Way, since it opened in 2007.

Redbridge Council has not released further details about what the financial irregularities were.

A spokesman said a new head would be recruited "as soon as possible".

Mr Mahoney and his fellow senior staff were praised in an Ofsted report last year for their "relentless" commitment to improving the school.