Ex-Sandwell mayor suspended by Labour Party after injury accusation

Derek Rowley, who retired as a councillor for Great Bridge in 2016 and was mayor the previous year, has been told to stop involvement in any party activity until the probe has been completed.

As secretary of the Sandwell Local Campaign Forum, his responsibilities included overseeing the selection of candidates for the upcoming local council elections.

His suspension was formally revealed to senior members of the West Bromwich West Constituency Labour Party at a meeting on Thursday night.

Councillor Ian Jones, vice chairman of the CLP, said: “A letter from the Labour Party was read out confirming that Derek Rowley is under investigation and has been suspended from all Labour party activity.

“This is an administrative suspension and will run until the allegations against him have been investigated.”

No details have been given about the nature of the allegations, although they are thought to relate to three recent incidents.

Great Bridge councillor Joanne Hadley made a formal complaint against him following an incident at a CLP meeting on March 12.

She alleges he obstructed her passage into the Jubilee Park Community Centre by stepping in front of her, a move which she says resulted in a cut to her leg.

The incident was subsequently reported to the police.

At a CLP meeting, which Mrs Hadley was not present at, he was alleged to have attempted to get proceedings abandoned to ensure that she was de-selected.

In a separate incident, Labour’s Tipton Green branch secretary Doris Price accused Mr Rowley of verbally abusing her on two occasions.

Adrian Bailey, the Labour MP for West Bromwich West, said: “The allegations are serious and need an investigation.”

"I welcome the prompt reaction of the new Labour Party general secretary. I know members will wish to co-operate with the investigator."

Mr Rowley has denied the claims.

He did not respond to the Express & Star’s request for a comment.