A police investigation is under way after a member of the Conservative party was allegedly assaulted by a Labour party councillor during a break in a full council meeting.

On Thursday February 24, Hyndburn Tory party member and former Labour councillor Gareth Molineux, was allegedly assaulted by an opposition councillor from the Labour and Co-operative party in Hyndburn, Michael Hindley.

It is believed that a break in the full council meeting was ordered when a councillor became upset due to discussions surrounding her partner and his six-month absence from meetings because of his mental health.

Mr Molineux said that he had left the meeting to go and comfort the distressed councillor and upon giving her a hug was allegedly attacked by Cllr Hindley.

Despite the alleged assault, which Mr Molineux says was unprovoked, Mr Hindley has not been suspended by the Labour party. This has caused some raised eyebrows among all political sides in Hyndburn because of the immediate suspension last year of former Labour councillor Jenny Molineux, when she attended a Conservative party event with her husband and allegedly bought a raffle ticket.

Mr Molineux said: “It didn’t happen in the meeting as such, it was in the foyer during a break and the police are now investigating.

“The police also have the CCTV but are being quite slow with their enquiries, which is frustrating.

“There was no provocation, it came out of nowhere."

Mr Molineux says the alleged incident comes after complaints in previous years of hostility and toxicity in Hyndburn Labour Party. 

He said he has made 'a number of complaints over the years' and added: "My wife was even suspended after allegedly buying a raffle ticket from an event she attended with me.”

Tory party leader, Marlene Howarth said she couldn’t comment on the matter any further as it was now under police investigation.

She said: “I can’t really comment because it is under investigation, but I can confirm that yes, an incident did happen and it’s on CCTV which has been sent to the police. 

“It’s not the normal way that councillors should act in a public meeting. There’s a lot more I could say but there’s an investigation going on at the moment and I don’t want to interfere with that.”

Hyndburn Council leader, Cllr Miles Parkinson said Mr Hindley had not been suspended from the party and could see why people would be asking questions about that decision and made reference to the suspension of Jenny Molineux.

He said: “The complaint has been passed to the regional Labour party. It’s a serious (allegation), but it has raised eyebrows in relation to what happened with Jenny Molineux, as usually when something like this happens the person is suspended.

“I would just say now that it’s up to the party to make a decision. People have raised the issue with me and referred to Jenny’s suspension and also the previous suspension of Claire Pritchard.

“The police will do their due diligence and once that has happened the council will take the matter to the standards committee, then a decision will be made.

“People are rightly asking why Michael Hindley hasn’t been suspended and I can’t give a reason.

“It’s no secret that there’s toxicity within the local Labour party and we know at least three members won’t be standing at the next election because of this.”

Cllr Mike Hindley, who represents Overton said: “I'm not in a position to make any comments.

“I will make no comment until I have taken further advice.”

CCTV footage has been sent to the police as well as the regional arm of the Labour party.

A police spokesman said: "The matter has been reported to us and we are investigating.

"Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting log 1573 of February 24, 2022."

The regional Labour party failed to respond to requests for a statement.