Child pictures: councillor accused

Mike Buckley

A RESPECTED parish councillor has been summonsed to appear in court over allegedly possessing indecent images of children.

Mike Buckley (67), of Dobcross, was subject to an investigation last year and his home searched last March.

Mr Buckley refused to comment on whether this would affect his decision to stand in the upcoming local elections. He said: “I will be denying the allegations in court and I’m not going to be making any further comment at this stage.”

Mr Buckley, an independent parish councillor, has been a vocal campaigner against the decision to build the new Saddleworth school in Diggle.

He left the Lib-Dems ahead of last year’s local elections after they backed the council’s move to relocate the new school away from Uppermill.

An author and respected historian, Mr Buckley is also a member of the Saddleworth Historical Society.

He will appear at Oldham Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 26.