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Wes Streeting ex-aide Sam Gould resigns as Redbridge councillor | Wes Streeting ex-aide Sam Gould resigns as Redbridge councillor |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Sam Gould resigned as an east London councillor on Wednesday | Sam Gould resigned as an east London councillor on Wednesday |
A former senior aide of Health Secretary Wes Streeting has resigned from his role as a Redbridge councillor after being convicted of indecent exposure. | |
Sam Gould, 33, pleaded guilty to two separate counts at Barkingside Magistrates' Court in Ilford on Monday. | Sam Gould, 33, pleaded guilty to two separate counts at Barkingside Magistrates' Court in Ilford on Monday. |
Announcing Gould's resignation, Redbridge Council's Labour leader Kam Rai said he was "relieved" and backed plans to empower local authorities to remove councillors who commit serious crimes. | Announcing Gould's resignation, Redbridge Council's Labour leader Kam Rai said he was "relieved" and backed plans to empower local authorities to remove councillors who commit serious crimes. |
Rai previously said although Gould was suspended from the Labour Party, there was "no process" to remove him from the council. | Rai previously said although Gould was suspended from the Labour Party, there was "no process" to remove him from the council. |
However, he said on Friday he was "pleased" there was a government commitment to allow the removal of politicians who commit serious crimes, under the Criminal Justice Bill. | However, he said on Friday he was "pleased" there was a government commitment to allow the removal of politicians who commit serious crimes, under the Criminal Justice Bill. |
Gould, a former a ward councillor for Hainault, is said to have exposed himself to a mother and her daughter. | Gould, a former a ward councillor for Hainault, is said to have exposed himself to a mother and her daughter. |
Following his court appearance, Streeting sacked Gould and called for his resignation from his role as a ward councillor for Hainault. | Following his court appearance, Streeting sacked Gould and called for his resignation from his role as a ward councillor for Hainault. |
"There are no excuses for his appalling behaviour," Streeting said, adding there were "no words to express his horror" at the victims' ordeal. | "There are no excuses for his appalling behaviour," Streeting said, adding there were "no words to express his horror" at the victims' ordeal. |
Rai said the authority took "prompt action" by blocking Gould's council devices and access cards. | Rai said the authority took "prompt action" by blocking Gould's council devices and access cards. |
"The past week's revelations have been distressing, and my heart goes out to the victims for what they endured," he added. | "The past week's revelations have been distressing, and my heart goes out to the victims for what they endured," he added. |
He said information would soon be released about a by-election to replace Gould. | He said information would soon be released about a by-election to replace Gould. |
Gould, of Hornchurch, east London, was bailed until sentencing on 7 April. | Gould, of Hornchurch, east London, was bailed until sentencing on 7 April. |
Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk | Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk |
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