A Scottish Labour councillor has been suspended from the party after he was arrested and charged over allegations of child grooming.

Councillor David Graham, who represents Buckhaven, Methil and Wemyss on Fife council, has also stood down from his council appointments as spokesperson for health and social care.

Mr Graham was also a member of the NHS Fife board.

Scottish Labour said it would not comment pending the investigation.

Fife Council’s head of legal and democratic services, Lindsay Thomson, said: “Councillor Graham was charged with an offence and has been suspended by the Labour Party.

“He has stepped down from his council appointments pending the outcome of the investigation. No further comment can be made by the council during a live police investigation.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 41-year-old man has been arrested and charged in relation to grooming offences following an investigation in Fife.

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“Further inquiries are ongoing.”

A spokesperson for NHS Fife added: “NHS Fife is aware of a Police Scotland matter involving a local Fife councillor. We are unable to comment further on an ongoing police investigation.”

Mr Graham is expected to appear at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court in connection with the alleged offence at a later date.

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