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| Hyndburn mayor Peter Britcliffe resigns over sexual abuse claims | Hyndburn mayor Peter Britcliffe resigns over sexual abuse claims |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A councillor has resigned from mayoral duties after allegations of sexual offences against three men. | |
| The Mayor of Hyndburn Peter Britcliffe, who also sits on Lancashire County Council, was interviewed by police last month but has not been arrested. | The Mayor of Hyndburn Peter Britcliffe, who also sits on Lancashire County Council, was interviewed by police last month but has not been arrested. |
| Police said the offences were alleged to have been committed in Oswaldtwistle between January and July last year. | Police said the offences were alleged to have been committed in Oswaldtwistle between January and July last year. |
| Mr Britcliffe denies the claims and said he is cooperating fully with police to "prove his innocence". | Mr Britcliffe denies the claims and said he is cooperating fully with police to "prove his innocence". |
| Leader of Hyndburn Council, Miles Parkinson, said the authority was putting alternative arrangements in place for Mr Britcliffe's mayoral engagements. | Leader of Hyndburn Council, Miles Parkinson, said the authority was putting alternative arrangements in place for Mr Britcliffe's mayoral engagements. |
| The council said it was aware of the allegations relating to men aged between 18 and 19 and as a "neutral act" and in line with safeguarding procedures it would ensure Mr Britcliffe does not carry out any duties bringing him into contact with children or vulnerable adults while the investigation takes place. | |
| 'Shocking' | 'Shocking' |
| Mr Britcliffe, who is a Conservative councillor, said while he was confident the investigation will "clear his name" it has put a "terrible strain on his family". | Mr Britcliffe, who is a Conservative councillor, said while he was confident the investigation will "clear his name" it has put a "terrible strain on his family". |
| In a statement, he said he was "stepping aside from mayoral duties in the interest of the borough of Hyndburn and the mayoralty". | In a statement, he said he was "stepping aside from mayoral duties in the interest of the borough of Hyndburn and the mayoralty". |
| He added: "It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time in order not to prejudice the police inquiries." | He added: "It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time in order not to prejudice the police inquiries." |
| "It is shocking that people can make allegations and keep their anonymity, when those who are wrongly accused are publicly named. There are no charges or court proceedings and the Crown Prosecution Service has not been consulted." | "It is shocking that people can make allegations and keep their anonymity, when those who are wrongly accused are publicly named. There are no charges or court proceedings and the Crown Prosecution Service has not been consulted." |
| A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: "A 67-year-old man from Hyndburn, Lancashire attended a police station by appointment on 15 January to be interviewed about complaints of sexual offences. | A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: "A 67-year-old man from Hyndburn, Lancashire attended a police station by appointment on 15 January to be interviewed about complaints of sexual offences. |
| "The man was spoken to at the police station in Lancashire during the course of the day." | "The man was spoken to at the police station in Lancashire during the course of the day." |
| The spokesman added the man was not arrested and said "inquiries were on-going". | The spokesman added the man was not arrested and said "inquiries were on-going". |