Dudley councillor suspended in police probe

Councillor Derrick Hemingsley, representative for Wordsley, has been placed on 'immediate administrative suspension', party officials have confirmed.

Details of the investigation have not been disclosed but officials said it was the result of a 'personal allegation'.

Councillor Hemingsley was elected to Dudley Council in 2012 and is governor at Belle Vue School, a director at Dudley Zoo and chairman of the Friends of Wordsley Park.

He has also been instrumental in co-ordinating the Speed Watch and Street Watch initiatives in the town.

Alongside his suspension from the Labour Party, Councillor Hemingsley, of Penzer Street, Kingswinford, has also been asked not to attend any governor meetings at the school.

In a statement the party said: "The general secretary has put Derrick Hemingsley on immediate administrative suspension from the Labour Party pending the outcome of a police investigation."

Dudley Council bosses said they had also been made aware of the situation.

Strategic director for resources and transformation and the council's monitoring officer Philip Tart said: "We have been made aware of a personal allegation which is being dealt with by police.

"As this is an ongoing matter it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage."

Headteacher at Belle Vue Dave Porter added: "We are aware of the allegations and as a result have written to him to ask him not to attend any school governor meetings until this matter is resolved.

"We will also be seeking advice from police and the local authority."