Councillor held over child porn

A Labour councillor has been arrested on suspicion of downloading indecent images of children.

Ben Williams, who represents the Clubmoor ward in Liverpool, was arrested on Tuesday by officers from the Sefton Family Crime Unit.

Police confirmed that they had arrested a 34-year-old man and officers had seized computers for examination by the forces hi-tech crime unit.

Mr Williams has since been released on police bail.

Voluntarily suspended

Labour leader Councillor Joe Anderson said Councillor Williams had agreed to suspend himself from the Labour party while police investigate.

He said: "Having had discussions with Councillor Williams I can confirm he has agreed to voluntarily suspend himself from party with immediate effect.

"Until the police investigation is concluded Ben Williams will have the Labour whip removed and will no longer be a Labour councillor.

"He will not participate in Labour meetings and will not be standing in the local elections next May as a Labour councillor"