Councillor suspended for alleged homophobic insults

The council leader has been suspended by the Labour Party after accusations of homophobia.

Bolsover Conservative candidate Mark Fletcher has accused council leader Steve Fritchley of “repeatedly using” homophobic slurs at him during a meeting with a resident.

According to the BBC, Mr Fritchley has been suspended by the Labour Party pending a formal investigation.

Karen Hanson, the council’s chief executive, said: “The council takes all complaints about councillors’ conduct very seriously. We will carry out a thorough, fair and independent investigation.”