Labour Mayor quits, sort of, following corruption probe

Stoke-on-Trent Mayor Mark Meredith has been arrested and questioned as part of the police investigation into plans to close the splash pool in Burslem. The closure plans were defeated in June 2008 after vigorous public protests.

The Stoke Sentinel reports:

The 43-year-old has stepped down from all his major political roles as he fights to clear his name over what he calls “unfounded and politically motivated” allegations against him.

But he is still working on key housing, sport and leisure policies for Stoke-on-Trent.

Mr Meredith had been questioned by police on Friday after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and complicity in corruption in public office.

Mark Meredith’s resignation follows the arrest earlier this month of Roger Ibbs, the leader of the Conservative and Independent Alliance, on suspicion of corruption.