Labour Councillor Suspended Over Sexual Harassment Allegation
The Labour Party has confirmed that yet another Labour Councillor has been suspended this week – this time Adrian Hughes-, a Councillor for Upper Gornal and Woodsetton, following allegations of sexual harassment.
The councillor formerly served on Dudley Council’s two important committees for children's services.
It follows a young woman's formal complaint to the Labour Party in May of this year.
Labour Councillor Hughes was informed by the party's sexual harassment team that he had a case to answer for and has been suspended pending a thorough investigation.
The 33-year-old was a member of the Dudley Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee until September the 17th and the Dudley Council Children's Services Select Committee until September 22.
Labour Councillor Hughes was suspended by the party on Wednesday awaiting the results of the investigation.
In a letter the sexual harassment team said "We are writing in relation to a complaint of sexual harassment made against you. A report in relation to your case was recently presented to a Sexual Harassment Panel of the National Executive Committee whose purpose was to review the investigation and decide if there was a case to answer based on the evidence available."
"That NEC Sexual Harassment Panel has reviewed your case and considered that there was a case to answer. Accordingly, it has referred the case to the Independent Complaints Board (the ICB), in line with the Labour Party’s sexual harassment procedure."
"The case will now be referred to the Board Secretary for the ICB and a full case file prepared. This may take some time. Once the case file is ready, the Board Secretary will be in contact with you to discuss the next steps and outline any further actions you may need to take."
Asked to comment about his suspension from the party Councillor, Hughes told the press "I do not want to comment about this matter. It is an internal party matter and I cannot say anything."