Roger Stone and Shaun Wright refused to be interviewed

The report said: “The inspection team is grateful that all current and former staff that we approached including frontline workers, managers, directors and members agreed to be interviewed. “Two people declined — former leader Roger Stone and former police and crime commissioner  Shaun Wright.”

Mr Stone sent a statement instead describing his priorities when leading the council between 2003 and 2014, including “projects focused on encouraging regeneration.”

The report said: “Many interviewees agreed that his strong and decisive leadership had been very important in driving through change.

“However, in the same breath, many officers and councillors reflected that he sometimes shouted and bullied to get what he wanted.”

Former council chief executive Martin Kimber told the inspection about times he had to press Mr Stone to apologise for shouting at council staff.

And one senior officer said: “What Stone said, went. Everyone was terrified of Stone.”

There is no mention of any contribution from Mr Wright.