Wolverhampton councillor under police investigation is suspended by Labour group

Councillor Harman Banger was arrested by West Midlands Police "on suspicion of fraud offences". He has been released pending a full probe.

It is understood he was one of two people arrested in connection with the same allegations.

He was earlier asked to step down from his role as cabinet member for city economy by Wolverhampton Council leader Ian Brookfield, pending an investigation by West Midlands Police.

Councillor Banger, a businessman, who represents East Park, has been a city councillor since 2011 and had been appointed to the cabinet post in May 2019. He has now been replaced in the role by Councillor Steve Simkins.

Councillor Brookfield said: “When I was made aware that he was under investigation I asked Councillor Banger to step down from cabinet.

“It is vital that the police are allowed to complete their inquiries unhindered and it would be inappropriate to comment further.

Priority

“As always, my priority and the focus of my colleagues remains the effective delivery of council services for the people of Wolverhampton, amid the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic.”

A spokesman for Councillor Brookfield today said: “We can confirm that Councillor Banger has been administratively suspended from the Labour group, pending the outcome of an internal party investigation.”

A statement by Wolverhampton Council had previously revealed he was stepping down from his cabinet role due to “personal reasons”.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of fraud offences and has been released pending further investigation.”

Councillor Banger, who was born and bred in his East Park ward and now lives in Claverley, Shropshire, is believed to be one of two people who were arrested in connection with the same allegations.

He was unavailable for comment when approached by the Express & Star.