Sitting Sefton councillor pleads guilty to making indecent images of children

A former Sefton mayor and sitting councillor has been asked to resign after pleading guilty to making indecent images of children.

Councillor Paul Tweed, who represents the Litherland ward, appeared in court last week and pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs/pseudo-photographs of children at his home between September 9 2020 and May 13 2024.

The news was broken by the Liverpool Echo earlier this afternoon.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of indecent photographs/pseudo-photographs of children.

The ex Labour councillor has been kicked out of the party but still currently sits as an independent on the Council.

Sefton say they have asked Tweed, of Bootle, to resign.

The Sefton Labour group said it took “immediate action” to remove Tweed as a member after it became aware of the offences, but despite Sefton Council asking him to resign following his guilty pleas last week, he currently remains an elected member of the council, sitting as an independent.

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “We were extremely shocked to hear of these charges and subsequent guilty plea and we have written to Councillor Paul Tweed asking him to resign with immediate effect.

“As a council this is completely at odds with our values and high standards the public expect and deserve. We will assist the police investigation in any way we can.”

A statement from Sefton Labour Group said: “We are deeply troubled to hear of these disturbing charges. Immediate action has been taken in response and we can confirm that Councillor Tweed is no longer a member of Sefton Labour Group or the Labour Party.”

Tweed will appear for sentencing on November 6th.