A BOROUGH councillor who was cautioned by the police over an assault during a break in a council meeting has been suspended by the Labour Party.

Overton ward councillor and resident of Commercial Road, Great Harwood Cllr Michael Hindley had accepted the caution last week over an the incident with former Hyndburn Labour councillor and cabinet member Gareth Molineux.

It happened on Thursday, February 24, during a break in the Hyndburn borough's budget Full Council meeting.

Mr Molineux, who defected from Labour to the Conservatives, claims that Cllr Hindley tried to choke him whilst he was comforting a friend in the public gallery.

Now a Labour source has told the Lancashire Telegraph: "Michael Hindley is suspended from the party, pending investigation."

It is understood the decision was taken in the last 72 hours.

Cllr Hindley, 74, said: "I have no comment to make on unconfirmed reports concerning Labour Party matters."

Lancashire Telegraph: Gareth MolineuxGareth Molineux

A Labour Party spokesman said: "We can’t comment on individual cases as complaints procedures are confidential and we must uphold our responsibilities for data protection."

Cllr Molineux said: "This was the right thing for the Labour Party to do.

"Although they were slow to act at least they finally did so."

Cllr Peter Britcliffe, deputy leader of Hyndburn Council's Conservative Group, said: "At last the Labour Party has acted over this unpleasant incident.

"It has taken its time about it. Now we await to see whether Hyndburn Borough Council will take any action."

Cllr Hindley's suspension is the latest blow to hit Hyndburn Labour Party in the run up to May 5's local elections.

Five high-profile figure in the borough have quit Labour in the last two years - council leader Miles Parkinson, his wife and Netherton ward councillor Bernadette, Mr Molineux and his wife Cllr Jenny Molineux, and planning chair Cllr Eamonn Higgins.

They have all condemned the "toxic" atmosphere in Hyndburn's constituency Labour Party.

Several other Labour councillors are not standing in next month's polls including Spring Hill's Cllr Diane Fielding, Huncoat's Cllr Dave Parkins, and St Oswald's ward's Cllr Chris Knight.

Mr Molineux, who is standing in Overton ward for the Conservatives in May 5's local elections, left Labour in June 2020.

Cllr Miles Parkinson quit Labour in a dramatic resignation speech at Hyndburn's Full Council on March 24 blaming "certain individuals who are operating behind the scenes" for the problems in the local party.