A SECOND official at Glasgow City Council suspended as part of an investigation into financial irregularities quit ahead of disciplinary proceedings.

Christine Gardner, a long standing middle-manager at ­Glasgow City Council, was due to have her hearing this week but left the authority before it was held.

Although the 58-year-old leaves without a pay-off, she can collect her pension when she is 60.

Two others within her team who did go through the disciplinary process were sacked, while another also retired.

Ms Gardner was suspended after being accused of "personally benefiting" after the audit threw up further anomalies.

She had been involved in providing business advice within the development and regeneration services (DRS) department and was part of the team that awarded cash and aid to start-up firms.

Marjorie Miller, the most senior of the group who worked closely with Ms Gardner, quit the council the day before her disciplinary hearing.

She left on an early retirement package but without any enhancement or added years.

She had been under investigation over concerns of cash awarded to a firm connected to her husband, who runs a freelance photography business from their home.

The council said it was powerless to prevent the workers from leaving and said it could not have held disciplinary hearings before their departure.

The council said the investigation was ongoing.

A council spokesman said: "Resignations are a matter for the individual and we wouldn't comment."