Former chair of Tory LGBT group arrested over images of child abuse
The former chair of Conservative Party LGBT group LGBTory has been arrested, as part of an investigation into offences relating to to indecent images of children.
Matthew Sephton served as the chair of LGBTory until 2014, holds a Tory seat on Trafford Council, and ran for Parliament as a Conservative last year.
This week, he was arrested by police on suspicion of offences involving indecent images of children. He has since been bailed and not been charged.
The National Crime Agency said: “National Crime Agency officers have arrested a 41-year-old male in the Altrincham area in relation to child abuse image offences”.
Mr Sephton has been suspended from the Conservative Party.
A spokesperson for the Conservative Party said: “A member has been suspended from the party and [Trafford] council group pending the conclusion of an ongoing police investigation. It is not appropriate to comment further.”
The councillor also worked as a teacher at Westmorland Primary School in Stockport, but has been suspended.
A statement released via the Messenger newspaper said: “You may hear from other parents or read on Facebook that there is a report relating to Mr Sephton, a teacher at the school. We can confirm the teacher has been questioned by the National Crime Agency and released without charge pending further investigation.
“Following standard practice and the advice from the Local Authority, the member of staff was immediately suspended from duties at school as a neutral act will not be in school until the investigation has concluded when the situation will be reviewed.”
Comments have been disabled.
