THE mystery over Royton North councillor James Larkin’s suspension by the Labour Party remains on-going.
The Correspondent confirmed in our September paper Cllr Larkin had been stood down by the party for whom he retained the Royton North seat in May, 2016.
A Labour spokesperson said he was suspended “pending an investigation”.
We approached the Labour Party for an update on October 11 and asked if Cllr Larkin and Cllr Montez Ali Azad – also suspended – had now been interviewed and if any investigation had been launched.
The reply on the same day was: “We do not comment on individual cases.”
Cllr Larkin attended the September meeting of Oldham Council but he has been silent on social media platforms since July.
He is currently listed on Oldham Council’s website as an Independent councillor.
At the 2016 elections he polled 1,266 votes to take the seat from UKIP’s Ruth Keating by a margin of 664 votes.
As voters we are entitled to know. The usual “individual cases” excuse trotted out by councillors will not wash.