The male councillor was arrested at their home earlier this month after allegedly raping a woman.

They have been bailed by police, and continue to serve as an elected councillor in the borough.

A spokesperson for GMP said: “A man was arrested on suspicion of rape and has been released on bail whilst enquiries continue.”

When contacted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service a spokesperson for Oldham council said the authority could not comment on a ‘live police investigation’.

The political party the councillor is a member of declined to comment when contacted about the arrest.

Under national legislation, local councils can only suspend or disqualify councillors if they have been convicted.