MP Yvette Cooper calls for law change as paedophile Wakefield councillor Alex Kear allowed to continue serving
Alex Kear, who sits on Wakefield Council as an independent, admitted two charges involving a child under the age of 13 last week.
However, the local authority is powerless to sack him, because of legislation dating back nearly half a century.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdCouncils can only remove elected members if they are jailed for three months or more.
Kear will be sentenced on August 20, meaning that, unless he resigns beforehand, he can continue claiming his taxpayer-funded allowance until then at least.
Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford MP Yvette Cooper said the seriousness of Kear's crimes means he should not be allowed to continue serving.
She said: "In circumstances like this Wakefield Council should be able to take immediate action.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"Councillors have responsibility for important decisions on the welfare of children.
"If someone is convicted of or pleads guilty to serious sexual offences against children, there should be a clear and proper process to remove them from the council.
"I’m writing urgently to ministers to ask for a review of the law – which dates back to 1972 - to make sure councils can take action and can make clear that children’s safety always come first."
Kear was elected to serve the Airedale and Ferry Fryston ward in 2019, taking the seat from Labour.
Local Democracy Reporting Service
A message from the editor
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.
In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.
Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.
Thank you
Jean MacQuarrie
Editor-in-Chief