Edinburgh councillor charged with sexual offences

A councillor has been arrested and charged in connection with sexual offences and indecent communications.

Lewis Ritchie is an independent representative for the Leith Walk area on Edinburgh City Council and is also a former planning convener.

The 36-year-old has been charged in relation to alleged offences between April 2016 and October 2019 in Leith.

Another incident is also said to have happened in October 2017 in Kelvinbridge, Glasgow.

The former SNP representative is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "A 36-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with sexual offences and indecent communications between April 2016 and October 2019 in the Leith area of Edinburgh and October 2017 in the Kelvinbridge area of Glasgow.

"He was released on an undertaking to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.''

In a statement, Councillor Ritchie said: "I strongly refute the allegations that officers of Police Scotland have recently conveyed to me.

"I intend to defend myself robustly if and when the opportunity arises to do so. As much as I would like to go into greater detail at this time, I cannot give any further statement until legal process has run its course."

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