Former leader in assault charge

The former Liberal Democrat leader of Derby City Council, Maurice Burgess, is to face a charge of indecent assault.

Mr Burgess, who denies the allegation, is due to appear before magistrates on 3 November.

Mr Burgess lost his place as council leader in July, when Labour regained control from a Conservative/Lib Dem alliance, at the local elections.

After the election, he announced he was taking time out from his role as leader of the council's Lib Dem group.

The 57-year-old had been leader for two years, and has been a councillor serving the Littleover and Abbey Wards since 1994.