Councillor suspended in leak row

Councillor Hugh McDonald — suspended from party

A VETERAN councillor has been suspended from the Labour Party following a dispute over the alleged leaking of documents.

The party’s national press office refused to provide any detail about Councillor Hugh McDonald other than that he had been suspended from the party pending investigation.

The Chronicle understands the suspension follows allegations that Councillor McDonald (72) leaked confidential information to the media about child safeguarding concerns in Oldham.

Councillor McDonald denies this. Though unable to comment in detail, he said: “I have been in the Labour Party for 54 years. I have been suspended for three months now and have not had the chance to register my views yet. I hope we can come to a satisfactory solution — that would suit me a lot better.”

He currently receives no Labour Party emails or correspondence and cannot attend Labour meetings, but continues as a ward councillor.

Born in Oldham, he joined the Labour Party’s St Mary’s branch when he was 18. In May the councillor, who faces re-election next May, stood down from his Oldham Cabinet role.