Senior Scottish Labour Fife councillor David Graham charged over alleged child grooming

A senior Scottish Labour councillor has been charged in connection with alleged child grooming.

David Graham, 41, has been suspended from the Labour Party pending the investigation into the claims, STV News understands.

Mr Graham was the local authority’s spokesperson for health and social care, as well as a member of the NHS Fife board.

Police said he was arrested and charged, before being released on an undertaking to appear at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court at a later date.

Scottish Labour said they were unable to comment on a live investigation, but confirmed he had been suspended from the party.

Fife Council’s head of legal and democratic services Lindsay Thomson said: “Cllr 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.”

An NHS spokesperson confirmed the investigation but was unable to comment further.

Mr Graham represents the Buckhaven, Methil and Wemyss villages and also sits on the council’s environment and transport and Levenmouth Area Committees.

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

“He has been released on an undertaking to appear at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court at a later date.

“Further enquiries are ongoing.”