Labour party suspends Indian-origin candidate over assault

Britain's Labour Party has suspended an Indian-origin candidate from representing the party in local elections over allegations of indecent assault.
Gurpal Virdi was a Labour candidate for the Cranford ward in west London and has now been suspended pending the outcome of a court case next month.
The former Scotland Yard police officer is accused of indecently assaulting a boy nearly three decades ago and has been summoned to appear before Westminster Magistrates Court on May 30.
Despite the fact he will no longer be supported by the Labour party, the 55-year-old said he will still stand in the upcoming local elections.

According to local media reports, the allegation came to light after the close of nominations for candidates standing in next month's council elections.
A spokesperson from the London region Labour party, said: "The action has been taken following disclosure that Mr Virdi has been summoned to appear in court on a matter on which we understand he believes he will be cleared of any wrong-doing.

"However, given the circumstances, the Labour Party can no longer support Mr Virdi as a Labour candidate for Cranford ward in next month's elections."
The official charge against him was released by the Scotland Yard last week.

"Between September 30 1986 and December 31 1986 within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court, Mr Gurpal Virdi, being a public officer, namely a Metropolitan Police Officer, and acting as such, without reasonable excuses or justification, willfully misconducted himself to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public's trust in that office," the charge reads.