Oldham Council aware of councillor allegations

Oldham Council has confirmed it's investigating serious allegations against a sitting councillor, with claims of 'safeguarding concerns' emerging over the weekend. The council says a formal standards process is now underway, though they've declined to name the councillor involved or provide details about the specific allegations.

A council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that while they're aware of the claims, it would be 'inappropriate to comment further' while the investigation continues. This follows a pattern of increasing scrutiny on local authority conduct, with similar investigations having taken place in other Greater Manchester boroughs over the past year.

The timing is particularly sensitive given ongoing debates about council transparency and accountability in Oldham. Residents have previously raised concerns about the standards process being too slow or opaque, though council officers maintain that confidentiality is essential to ensure fair investigations.

For now, the investigation continues behind closed doors, leaving residents and political opponents alike waiting for more information. The council has promised to provide updates once the formal process concludes, though no timeline has been given for when that might happen.