A parish councillor is to face charges of possessing indecent photographs of children after an international police investigation.

Michael Buckley, 67, a member of Saddleworth Council, is due to appear in court later this month.

But Coun Buckley told the M.E.N.: “I’m innocent of the alleged charges.

“I will make that plea in court.”

His home in Dobcross, was raided in February last year as part of Operation Spade.

The international investigation led by Canadian Police was into the activities of an online retailer based in Canada which was trading as a film distribution company.

Greater Manchester Police and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Unit (CEOP) also took part in the investigation.

A GMP statement said: “A man has been summonsed to appear at court for possession of indecent images of children.

“Michael Buckley, of Dobcross, Saddleworth has been summonsed to appear before Oldham Magistrates court on Thursday, March 26.”

Mr Buckley faces 16 charges of making indecent photographs of children. He is also charged with possession of indecent images of children.

During the raid at his home computer equipment was seized.

In 2012 Canadian police passed around 2,000 names to the UK. They were sent by Toronto Police to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Unit, and GMP was passed 54 referrals.

By November last year the force had made 46 arrests and three people had been charged.

Mr Buckley was formerly a Liberal Democrat but now sits as an Independent, representing Dobcross and Diggle.

Last month he spoke at Oldham council to raise concerns about a new school for Saddleworth being sited in Diggle. He said it would create traffic congestion and lead to the loss of ‘precious countryside’. He was one of five Independent councillors who lobbied for the school to be built in Uppermill instead.

He stood down as a councillor for Saddleworth North on Oldham Council in 2012 after serving for eight years. For three years until 2011 he was Oldham’s Heritage Champion.