Paul Flowers released on bail

Paul Flowers

Former Rochdale councillor and Methodist minister Paul Flowers has been bailed in connection with alleged drug supply offences.

He was bailed on Tuesday 14 January pending further enquires. Flowers was arrested in the Liverpool area in November by West Yorkshire Police.

A statement from West Yorkshire Police said: “A 63-year-old man, from Bradford, who was arrested in Liverpool in November as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of drug supply offences made in a national newspaper answered bail today at a West Yorkshire police station and has now been bailed pending further enquiries.”

During his time in Rochdale, Flowers was a Labour councillor for the Smallbridge and Wardleworth area from 1988-1992. In November, it was confirmed by Rochdale Council that an investigation into Flowers’ time at the Town Hall had been launched.

Flowers was later suspended by the Labour party and the Methodist Church following allegations that he bought and used illegal drugs.

The former Co-op Bank boss also stepped down as the banks' chairman in June when claims emerged of illegal drug use and inappropriate
expenses payments.