Redbridge Council leader has called for councils to be empowered to remove politicians who commit serious crimes following the resignation of a councillor who pleaded guilty to indecent exposure.
Former Redbridge councillor Sam Gould resigned last week after pleading guilty to indecently exposing himself to a 13-year-old girl.
Mr Gould has also been sacked as a senior caseworker for health secretary Wes Streeting and suspended from the Labour Party.
Local government minister Jim McMahon recently hinted he will hand local authorities the power to suspend councillors before they have been convicted.
The leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Kam Rai, said he was ‘relieved’ Mr Gould had resigned.
‘Unfortunately, we as a council do not have the power to remove a council member, even when they've committed such a serious offence,’ he continued.
‘Our hands are effectively tied. With that in mind, I’m pleased to see the commitment from Government for a change in the law that would allow the removal of politicians who commit serious crimes.’
