A SECRET district council report about disastrous hygiene at a fast-food chain will remain under wraps due to an ongoing investigation.

This was the second time that Vale of White Horse District Council declined to share a food hygiene inspector's discoveries about Subway’s Abingdon branch.

The public body declined a Freedom of Information request by the Oxford Mail submitted in February when the newspaper chose to appeal the unconventional decision.

While the council acknowledged the strong public interest in disclosing findings, acting deputy chief executive Adrianna Partridge argued that early reveal of information may also 'compromise future legal action and potentially impact the right to a fair trial'.

Low ratings by the taxpayer-funded public service could be based on anything from administrative errors to dangerous meat preparation, so the council’s refusal has only raised more questions.

The newspaper is also regularly provided with food hygiene inspection reports from other Oxfordshire councils.

Published in January, the bullet-point report revealed that urgent improvement was necessary for the restaurant that received zero out of five rating.

It was said that the restaurant’s food hygiene and safety standards were generally low, and that management had poor appreciation of hazards and control measures.

It also stated there was no food safety management system in place at the Marcham Road restaurant.

The Abingdon branch remains opened.