Mayor is cleared in drug inquiry

The mayor of Wolverhampton was today cleared of any involvement in producing cannabis more than a week after he was arrested.

Councillor Malcolm Gwinnett was on bail pending further inquiries after cannabis was found in a police raid on an industrial unit he rents in Wombourne.

Police today said another man, aged 34, of Wolverhampton, was arrested in connection with plants found at the former tyre garage in Ounsdale Road.

Councillor Gwinnett rents the lock-up as storage space but said he had no idea where the cannabis came from or who was responsible for it. Plants were found in an office to which the mayor said he has no access.

He was arrested last Saturday. The 58-year-old Liberal Democrat for Spring Vale, said: "I have been completely cleared of any involvement with the matter being investigated by Staffordshire Police.

"I had not been back to the unit since December as I have been working on a full diary of mayoral duties.

"I have never had anything to do with drugs and I do not even smoke."

Staffordshire Police confirmed a man, 34, was arrested at 4pm yesterday and bailed pending further inquiries.

The decision to release Councillor Gwinnett from the investigation came as it emerged he was replaced on a six-day trip to the United Arab Emirates by deputy mayor Bert Turner.

Councillor Turner was sent in his place as the police inquiry continued.

The mayor was due to attend the Ajman International Urban Planning Conference as a guest of Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi and the royal family of Ajman.

Council spokesman Tim Clark said: "As part of efforts to promote Wolverhampton, the deputy mayor, Councillor Bert Turner and Corinne Miller, head of arts and heritage, are representing the city council on a visit to Ajman in the United Arab Emirates.

"They will be discussing the links between culture, heritage and regeneration.

"They will be joined by representatives of the University of Wolverhampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club. They are due to return on Friday. There is no cost to the council in relation to the trip."