Richard Marshall: Sandwell councillor leaves cabinet post after 'lewd phone message' storm

A senior cabinet member has stepped down from his post amid a probe into alleged lewd remarks about two female councillors.

Sandwell Council's leisure boss Richard Marshall is alleged to have made sexually derogatory comments about councillors Maria Crompton and Olwen Jones.

The Labour Party has launched an investigation into the allegations and council leader Steve Eling confirmed today Councillor Marshall has 'voluntarily stepped aside' from his cabinet role.

Councillor Eling said: "Councillor Richard Marshall has voluntarily stepped aside from cabinet duties.

"All complaints are taken seriously and are robustly investigated."

Mr Marshall was elected as the Labour-controlled authority's councillor for Smethwick in 2014.

He told the Express & Star today: "I want this to be thoroughly and independently investigated.

"Unlike in Parliament there is a proper standards process in local government.

"I self-referred myself to the monitoring officer to have this thoroughly investigated – and get my name cleared properly.

"I think this has been completely misrepresented to date and I don't want it swept under the carpet."

A Sandwell Council spokesman said: “The council can confirm that Councillor Richard Marshall has voluntarily stepped aside from cabinet duties.”

The issue was raised in the House of Commons last week during a debate on sexual harassment in Parliament, where ministers vowed to crackdown on the way complaints are handled.

Mr Bailey urged the Leader of the House, Andrea Leadsom, to ensure that the same 'robust policies and procedures' would also apply to councillors and staff in local government.

In response Mrs Leadsom said Communities Secretary Mr Javid would be happy to meet him to discuss the issue.