A DUDLEY councillor has been suspended from the Labour Party pending a police investigation.

Councillor Derrick Hemingsley, who is a director of Dudley Zoo, has been put on "immediate suspension" by his party, the News learned this week.

A Labour Party spokesperson said in a statement: “The General Secretary has put Derrick Hemingsley on immediate administrative suspension from the Labour Party pending the outcome of the police investigation.”

The popular 55-year-old councillor has driven forward numerous community campaigns in recent months including Speed Watch and Street Watch initiatives in his Wordsley ward and he recently extended his help to Sedgley campaigners from the Northway Action Group for Road Safety (NAG4RS) who are working to see speeds reduced on the Northway.

Cllr Hemingsley, from Penzer Street, Kingswinford, is also chairman of the Friends of Wordsley Park and a governor at Belle Vue Primary School.

Philip Tart, strategic director for resources and transformation and Dudley Council’s monitoring officer, said: “We have been made aware of a personal allegation which is being dealt with by police. As this is an ongoing matter it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.”

A spokesman for the authority said Cllr Hemingsley, who was elected in 2012, remains a councillor but refused to elaborate on the matter being dealt with by police.

Dave Porter, headteacher at Belle Vue Primary School, said: “We are aware of the allegations and as a result have written to him to ask him not to attend any school governor meetings until this matter is resolved. We will also be seeking advice from police and the local authority.”

Cllr Hemingsley was unavailable for comment.