NEIL DERBYSHIRE QUITS STOCKPORT COUNCIL OVER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

In August 2002, Neil Derbyshire, a councillor for Stockport, resigned from his position amid a sex shame scandal. Derbyshire, who is married and lives on Manor Road in Marple, had previously refused to relinquish his council seat despite being ordered to register as a sex offender after admitting to charges of indecent assault and attempting to procure an act of gross indecency involving a 16-year-old boy.

Although he had resigned from the Stockport council executive and was suspended from the Liberal Democrat group, Derbyshire stated his intention to remain an independent councillor until the May 2004 elections. Had he been sentenced to at least three months in jail, he would have been automatically barred from serving as a councillor.

Derbyshire was also under investigation by the Standards Board for England, which has the authority to disqualify him from holding office. His wife, Susan Derbyshire, is also a councillor for Stockport. When asked about his resignation, Derbyshire chose not to comment.

Stockport council leader Mark Hunter welcomed the move, saying, "Under electoral law the council could do nothing to force him out of office, except refer the matter to the Standards Board for England."