A leading city councillor has been charged by police over an alleged sexual assault and resigned his position as Aberdeen’s depute provost.
Conservative Alan Donnelly had been the centre of a police probe into the alleged incident following a Remembrance Day event in the city’s Trinity Hall last November.
And yesterday police announced they had charged the 64-year-old Torry and Ferryhill councillor.
A police spokeswoman said: “We can confirm a 64-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged sexual assault.
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“The incident happened in November 2018 at Trinity Hall in Holburn Street, Aberdeen, and was reported to police in January 2019, when an investigation began.
“A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
It emerged earlier this month that the police were investigating the alleged incident following a complaint.
The Scottish Conservative party immediately suspended Mr Donnelly’s membership but he has remained a part of the Tory group on the council.
It is understood he was charged late on Wednesday night.
Conservative group leader Douglas Lumsden confirmed yesterday that the councillor had since resigned his role as depute provost.
Mr Lumsden had previously suspended his colleague from carrying out his civic duties in the role while the police investigation took place- but vowed that should matters not be resolved by March he would have removed him and sought a new depute provost.
His additional salary in the role, above that of his councillor wage, has also been withdrawn.
Mr Donnelly will, however, continue as a member of the Conservative group and serve as a councillor for Torry and Ferryhill.
A new depute provost will be appointed at the next full council meeting on March 4.
Mr Lumsden declined to comment further.
Calls had been growing for his resignation following the revelation that a police probe was launched.
This week, all members of the opposition SNP and Liberal Democrat groups signed a joint letter to Mr Donnelly calling on him to give up the civic position.
A former merchant navy sailor, Aberdeen airport worker and railway staff member from England’s north-east coast, Mr Donnelly has had a long career as a councillor, serving many terms for his ward.
