Ex-mayor Barry Dodson faces child sex abuse charge

The Rotherham East councillor resigned from the Labour Party on Friday but said he was staying on as an independent.

The Advertiser understands he is accused of indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 1987.

South Yorkshire Police confirmed a 66-year-old Rotherham man had been arrested on Friday and had been released on bail.

Cllr Dodson was sworn in as Mayor on June 6 but quit exactly three weeks later.

He has made no comment since except that the resignation was for “personal reasons”.