A former councillor has been arrested after being accused of sexually assaulting a child.

Lee Laudat-Scott, who was Hackney Council’s deputy speaker, handed in his resignation on July 13.

But just days after he has been charged after appearing at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 18).

Hackney Council says that it was contacted on July 10 with a children safeguarding referral about some concerns.

Laudat-Scott was then arrested on Wednesday (July 17) after an allegation was reported to police on July 9.

He is accused of touching a boy, who was 11, between September 1, 2016 and July 31, 2018 in Hackney.

He is also accused of sexually touching a man in Islington on July 5 without consent.

The case has been sent to Snaresbrook Crown Court for a hearing on August 15.

Laudat-Scott, who was a Labour councillor for London Fields up until his resignation, was elected as deputy speaker in May and sat on the Town Hall’s children and young people’s scrutiny commission.

Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney, said: “I was horrified to hear of the allegations and subsequent charges.

“My immediate thoughts are with the person who has reported them. I’m unable to say any more while criminal proceedings are active.”

A new deputy speaker will be appointed at a council meeting on July 24.