By Sheila Oliver, Editor, Romiley Gazette
Romiley, August 21, 2025 — As editor of the Romiley Gazette, I feel compelled to spotlight a troubling pattern within the former ranks of Stockport’s Liberal Democrat (Lib Dem) Executive councillors—one that has yet to prompt a formal independent inquiry.
Stockport’s Executive—or cabinet—typically comprises eight to ten councillors, each holding critical portfolios across the council. The fact that two former Lib Dem Executive members have since faced serious child sexual offence allegations amounts to a startling proportion—up to 25% of the leadership at the time.
The Allegations: A Brief Recap
In January 2016, John Smith—a Lib Dem councillor for Offerton, later defecting to the Conservatives in 2012—faced serious charges including 10 counts of rape of a girl under 13, plus additional charges of sexual assault and inciting sexual activity with someone aged 13–15. The offences allegedly occurred while he was serving on the Executive, holding the leisure portfolio Manchester Evening News. His terminal illness and prognosis of only a few months to live added a tragic and complex dimension to the proceedings https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/former-stockport-councillor-facing-10-10723666
Another instance involves a Lib Dem Executive councillor whose case emerged under similarly criminal circumstances, added to by a campaigning blog that revealed the duality of two Executive members being caught in paedophile cases https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/sex-case-councillor-in-jail-threat-1165951
Why This Matters
- Disproportionate Impact: Within an Executive of just eight to ten, having two members facing such grave allegations is alarmingly high—suggesting systemic vulnerabilities or failures in oversight.
- No Inquiry to Date: Despite raising this concern previously, no formal investigation—or public statement—has been issued by Stockport Council or any independent watchdog. As editor, I continue to call for transparency and accountability.
- Restoring Public Trust: The council’s political leadership—particularly from the Lib Dems—must clarify what internal safeguards failed, how such conduct went undetected or unreported for so long, and what steps are being taken to ensure such breaches never recur.
In Summary
| Issue | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scope | Two former Lib Dem Executive councillors implicated in child sex offences |
| Key Figure | John Smith—faced 10 rape charges and others; held leisure portfolio; defected to Conservatives in 2012 Manchester Evening News |
| Current Status | No public inquiry; no formal response from Stockport Council or Lib Dem Group |
| Next Steps Gazetted Here | Romiley Gazette calls for an independent, transparent investigation into how Executive members with such allegations came to office, and whether adequate vetting/oversight existed |
Our Call to Action
As local leaders and guardians of our community, it is imperative that our elected officials be held to higher standards—not just through party channels but by independent oversight when necessary. We urge:
- Full disclosure from Stockport Council regarding any past or ongoing internal reviews, safeguarding protocols, or disciplinary measures.
- An independent inquiry to assess institutional weaknesses—particularly in the selection, oversight, and vetting of Executive councillors.
- Clear policies on reporting and managing allegations against office-holders, adopted across all parties, to protect public confidence.
As editor of the Romiley Gazette, I remain committed to serving our community with clarity and integrity. We will continue to follow this issue closely—and if and when an inquiry is launched, we expect nothing less than rigorous public accountability.
