A FORMER East Lancashire councillor has called for a senior police officer to stand down amid a criminal probe in relation to his alleged role in an investigation into a suspected sex offender.

Simon Danczuk, who is from Hapton and is now MP for Rochdale, said Sir Peter Fahy, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, should leave his post after being named as one of three serving officers to be served with both a criminal and gross misconduct notice following investigations by the police watchdog.

Mr Danczuk, who was also a Blackburn with Darwen councillor, said: "I have raised concerns for some time about the leadership of Greater Manchester Police in relation to how it tackles sexual abuse.

“With the chief constable now under investigation for what is a very serious matter, it is only right and proper that he's suspended until the inquiries are completed.”

The inquiry is believed to be linked to allegations that GMP allowed a teenager to enter the home of a suspected paedophile who was under surveillance.