Councillor Bethell welcomed back into Rochdale Labour Party

The chairman of Rochdale Labour Party has welcomed Councillor Phil Bethell back into the party after his suspension.

The Balderstone and Kirkholt councillor was suspended in May following an alleged incident of sexual assault.

Councillor Allen Brett said: “I always knew that Phil was innocent of these allegations and I’m pleased to see him returning as a Labour councillor.

"There is no place in Rochdale politics at any level for people to be launching smear campaigns of this nature, no matter what position they hold. I hope there will now be an investigation into how these allegations came about. This kind of stuff really puts people off going into politics.”

Councillor Phil Bethell added: “I just want to put this behind me and get on with the work of trying to improve my ward. I’d like to thank everyone who’s given me their support over the last few months.”