http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-23820054The deputy leader of Rotherham Council has stepped down over claims he knew about a relationship between a girl in care and a suspected child abuser.Jahangir Akhtar's decision follows the publication of one woman's account of being allowed contact with the alleged abuser from 1999, when aged 14.
The Times newspaper reported Mr Akhtar is related to the alleged offender and was aware of their relationship.
Mr Akhtar said he was resigning out of "courtesy". He denies the claims.
He said he was also standing down as vice-chairman of the Police and Crime Panel, which scrutinises the local force.
Mr Akhtar said: "I am standing down temporarily as deputy leader of the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and as vice-chairman of the Police and Crime Panel as a matter of courtesy to those agencies to resolve any inquiry as quickly as possible."
A spokesman for Rotherham Council said: "The council has referred the allegations made in the Times newspaper relating to Councillor Akhtar to South Yorkshire Police to consider if any criminal offence has been committed and to undertake any appropriate criminal investigation."
Topic: Rotherham councillor Jahangir Akhtar steps down over claims (Read 505 times)