A serving male Oldham councillor who was arrested at his home in September after allegedly raping a woman has had his bail extended for a second time.

Under the Policing and Crime Act 2017, there is a time limit of 28 days for someone to remain on pre-charge bail.

However, one extension of up to three months can be authorised by a senior police officer at superintendent level or above if considered appropriate and necessary.

This was done, and the councillor’s bail was extended.

However, the councillor’s bail has now been extended a second time.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed to The Oldham Times that the councillor, who has not been identified, will remain on bail "until March".

The councillor was originally bailed by police on Thursday, September 8, 2022 and continues to serve as an elected councillor in the borough.

The councillor has not been charged.

Greater Manchester Police said there were no updates to share related to the case.

In September 2022, a spokesperson for GMP told the Local Democracy Reporting service: “A man was arrested on suspicion of rape and has been released on bail whilst enquiries continue.”

When contacted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) in September, a spokesperson for Oldham Council said the authority could not comment on a "live police investigation".

The political party the councillor is a member of declined to comment when contacted about the arrest by the LDRS in September.