Alex Folkes quits politics

Very sad news to see this about Alex Folkes:

Alex Folkes has resigned from both Cornwall Council and Launceston Town Council. Mr Folkes … [has] also withdrawn his application to re-join the Liberal Democrat party.

Mr Folkes, a Launceston councillor since 2009 and until last year a high profile cabinet member of Cornwall Council, with responsibility for the authority’s £1.2 billion budget, was forced to resign his front-line role when experts labelled him “a serious and enduring risk to children.”…

Mr Folkes said he was quitting politics for health reasons. He continues to deny the allegations against him. “You know how much I have loved politics here in Cornwall and how much of a wrench this is for me. It has not been an easy decision,” he said. “I’m incredibly grateful to the officers and members of the councils I have served on who are truly dedicated public servants in very trying circumstances. I hope I have contributed something and am sad that I won’t be able to in the future.” [Cornish Guardian]