An Oldham councillor arrested on suspicion of rape is still on bail, despite a 28-day bail time limit having expired.

The councillor, whose identity has not been made public, is still on bail after more than 30 days.

The male councillor was arrested at his home in September after allegedly raping a woman.

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

The councillor has not been charged.

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.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed to The Oldham Times that the councillor remains on bail as of Tuesday, October 11 – 33 days after the councillor was originally bailed – but would not confirm the nature of any potential extension.

In exceptional circumstances, police can apply to magistrates for further bail beyond a three-month extension.

Last month, 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) last month, a spokesperson for the 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 last month.