Councillor Bethell has no case to answer

A Rochdale councillor at the centre of a complaint about sexual assault has been told by police that there is no case to answer.

Councillor Phil Bethell, who represents Balderstone and Kirkholt, was arrested earlier this month after police received a report of sexual assault.

Speaking after his solicitors confirmed no action would be taken by police, Councillor Bethell said he was always confident he would clear his name.

He said: “I always knew there was no substance in these allegations but I understand the police have a duty to investigate complaints of this nature.

"It has been a very upsetting time for me; in politics you always expect people to throw mud at you but this is beyond the pale.

"I believe this was a politically motivated complaint and I now expect the North West Labour Party to investigate how these allegations came about and who played a part in promoting them.

“I will continue to represent my ward and work hard for my community, and I want to thank everyone who has shown me support over the last few weeks.”

David Cook, a solicitor at Manchester law firm Pannone who is representing Councillor Bethell, added: “Only 14 days after the original police arrest, Mr Bethell has been notified that the police are no longer investigating this matter.

“The police have recognised that the allegations were entirely unfounded. Mr Bethell is understandably delighted and wishes to put the matter behind him having co-operated fully with the investigation.

“It is a great shame that a prominent politician’s reputation was tainted in this way by these unfounded allegations. However, Mr Bethell is pleased that he has been exonerated.”