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A Labour councillor has quit following ‘unspecified allegations’.

Lionel Burch, who represented the Newchapel ward on Newcastle Borough Council, tendered his resignation from the authority today.

Mr Burch was first elected to the council last May, but as with all members his term was due to end next year with the scheduled all-out elections.

He announced his resignation during a discussion on Facebook, in which he was calling on the Labour-led borough council to work to reopen Kidsgrove Sports Centre.

Mr Burch wrote: “For the record, I have tendered my resignation from Newcastle Borough Council with immediate effect following receipt of an email from the whip alluding to unspecified allegations.

“I remain committed to leisure provision in Kidsgrove and see the only way to facilitate this is through the refurbishment of the existing centre.”

It is likely that Mr Burch’s seat will remain vacant until May’s elections.

Council and Labour group leader Elizabeth Shenton confirmed Mr Burch’s resignation but said she could not comment about the nature of the allegations against him.

She said: “I can confirm that Lionel Birch has resigned from the council. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further.”

The resignation leaves Labour with 24 councillors, with the Conservatives on 22 seats, the Borough Independents on five, the Lib Dems on three, the Kidsgrove Independents on two, and the Newcastle Independents and Ukip with one each, with two seats vacant.