Brian Gate, former cabinet member for children, schools and families, was arrested at his Harrow home on September 24, 2012, on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children. On Monday he was cautioned for the offence and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for two years.

In a statement, the Met said: "We can confirm that a 57-year-old man was arrested on September 24 at a residential address in the Harrow area on suspicion of the possession of indecent images of children." Adding "He has been bailed pending further enquiries until early November."

During Cllr Gate’s tenure, Ofsted rated the borough’s ability to safeguard children and look after those in care as 'adequate' – the minimum requirement – and said services to protect the most vulnerable youngsters required improvement. Harrow Council suspended Cllr Gate, and he resigned his school governorship at St Dominic's College.

Gate, whose wife Ann is a Labour councillor for Harrow on the Hill ward, attends St Peter's Church in Sumner Road, West Harrow, and as a councillor was a council appointee to Harrow Citizens' Advice Bureau, a council appointee to Harrow in Europe Committee, an appointee to London Councils' Children and Young People Forum, and deputy of London Youth Games. He was also a former governor at St John's C of E Primary School in Stanmore Hill, Stanmore.

Cllr Mitzi Green, who held the children's services post until May, will temporarily take over the role while investigations continue.

In a statement, the council said: "The council acted promptly to immediately suspend Cllr Gate and to follow all proper safeguarding procedures." adding "Cllr Gate subsequently tendered his resignation as portfolio holder and from his governorships. Cllr Mitzi Green has agreed to temporarily take over the role."

Gate resigned his seat in all of the schools and colleges he represented, and was been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for two years.