Leeds councillor Ron Grahame charged with attempted rape and historic sex offences against girl and suspended from Labour Party

The Yorkshire Evening Post understands Ron Grahame has been suspended from the Labour Party pending the outcome of criminal proceedings against the veteran councillor.

Grahame, councillor for Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, is due to appear before Leeds Magistrates' Court on January 5 charged with four offences alleged to have taken place between 1980 and 1982.

The 76-year-old is charged with attempted rape, two counts of indecent assault and a further serious sexual offence.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "Ronald Grahame, aged 76, from Leeds, is due to appear at Leeds Magistrates Court on January 5, 2021, having been charged by postal requisition with four sexual offences alleged to have occurred between 1980 and 1982, which all relate to one child victim."

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said the local authority would not be commenting on the matter at this stage.

Grahame insisted he was still a Labour councillor when he responded to an e-mail on Tuesday (Dec 1) inquiring why the Leeds City Council website now lists him as being an independent councillor.

In his response he stated: "Bit of mischief here."

Grahame has been a Labour councillor for Burmantofts and Richmond Hill ward since 2010.

His current term of office runs until 2022.

He was first elected onto Leeds City Council to represent Whinmoor in 1982.