Data watchdogs have ordered Derbyshire CC to disclose the details of the payout made to former chief executive Nick Hodgson, or face a High Court battle for contempt of court.

The Information Commissioner has written to Derbyshire seeking it to fulfil a local newspaper's Freedom of Information request seeking details of Mr Hodgson's departure and the financial settlement agreed.

The county council has insisted it had entered into a confidential exit agreement with Mr Hodgson, who earned £152,000 a year as chief executive.