Police have given security advice to the leader of West Sussex County Council after a bogus report made damaging accusations about him.

The document on Councillor Henry Smith, leader of the council since October 3, is being investigated by the council's chief executive board.

The six-page file, called Vetting and Status Inquiry Report on Councillor Henry Edward Millar Smith, was posted to at least two county councillors earlier this month.

Although it claims to be an official report commissioned by the council, it was never authorised.

The accusations are in connection with the preparation of the £60 million Crawley schools private finance initiative, which Coun Smith helped launch.

Coun Smith, 34, who lives in Maidenbower and is also a Crawley borough councillor, believes he is the subject of a smear campaign.

He said: "There's an undertone of corruption implied but there is absolutely no truth in the allegations.

"If this person was identified I would definitely consider taking legal action.

"I have an idea who it might be and others have too and it's interesting that we have independently arrived at the same person."

Coun Smith said: "I don't mind people having a go at me politically. I don't like it , but it's a fact of life.

"What I think is awful is that he mentioned my wife, my baby daughter, and my pet dog.

"It smacks of something a bit sinister. I was a parliamentary candidate at the last election so I have a thick skin for this kind of thing.

"What I object to is the underlying threat to my personal life."

Police officers have been to Coun Smith's house to discuss ways of improving security.

Amanda Aviss, head of communications, said: "We can confirm that this report has not been commissioned by West Sussex County Council.

"It is not the function of the county council to vet its members who have been put forward for higher office.

"This document, which is anonymous, appears to be a hotchpotch of malicious allegations but as a matter of course we are going through them."