Suspended councillors 'not eligible' to be selected as Labour candidates in next May's all out Sandwell Council elections
The two Sandwell councillors suspended in connection with a vicious assault in Cradley Heath will not be standing for Labour in next May's elections.
Blackheath Councillor Danny Millard and Rowley Councillor Claire Mayo were suspended by Labour after West Midlands Police began investigating the melee in Cradley Heath in the early hours of Sunday, July 21.
Due to Sandwell Council holding all out elections next year each ward councillor is up for re-election.
Labour has begun its selection process for local election candidates, however, Councillor Millard and Mayo remain suspended and are barred from taking part.
A Labour spokesman told the Express & Star: "Councillor Millard and Mayo are not eligible for selection as they are suspended."
Councillor Millard was first elected in Blackheath for Labour in September 2015. He previously held several cabinet positions and before his suspension was sitting on West Midlands Combined Authority's Transport Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Committee (WMCA).
Councillor Mayo is serving her first term for Labour in Rowley after being elected in May 2022.
Labour suspended the pair after they were linked online to the violence in Cradley Heath and West Midlands Police confirmed they were investigating the assaults.
A Labour spokesman said at the time: 'We are extremely concerned about this incident. Both Councillor Millard and Councillor Mayo were administratively suspended by the Labour Party immediately upon receipt of these allegations. Given this is subject to a police investigation we are not able to comment further at this time.'
Two men required hospital treatment, including stab wounds, and a woman sustained minor injuries in the attack which is believed to have begun as a drunken argument in Wetherspoons, Cradley Heath High Street.
West Midlands Police arrested a 23-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. And 33-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of assault.
West Midlands Police confirmed the investigation is ongoing.
A spokesman said this week: "They all remain on bail pending further enquiries."
Councillor Millard and Councillor Mayo missed the majority of July's full Sandwell Council meeting but did turn up together at the end.
The Express & Star have approached both councillors for a comment concerning their suspension.