Council leader arrested over alleged sexual assault

The former leader of Melton Borough Council has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault, it has been revealed.

On Wednesday, Leicestershire Police said it was investigating an allegation of sexual assault against a 75-year-old man, understood by the BBC to be Labour councillor Pip Allnatt.

The force said it was investigating a report that a woman was assaulted at a business premises in Melton Mowbray on 12 March.

Allnatt was elected borough council leader in May 2023 but announced on 2 April he would be stepping down from the role due to ill health. He declined to comment when contacted by the BBC.

A Melton Borough Council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) it was "aware of an allegation being made" but would not comment further.

They added: "We will not be commenting publicly during any police investigation.

"The matter under investigation is not associated with the council in any way and any queries should be referred directly to Leicestershire Police.

"The council has sought assurances that there are no wider elevated risks or safeguarding concerns and will keep the matter under review.

"As set out in the council's public statement, councillor Allnatt has advised that his resignation is due to ill health.

"The council has nothing further to add at this stage."

A Leicestershire Police spokesperson said: "A 75-year-old man was arrested on Sunday 22 March 2026, on suspicion of the sexual assault of a woman.

"The arrest was made in connection with an incident which was reported to have happened at a business premises in Melton Mowbray on the morning of Thursday, 12 March 2026. The report was made to police on Thursday 19 March.

"The man has since been released on bail and enquiries into the report remain ongoing."

The LDRS said it was understood that Allnatt has also been administratively suspended from the Labour Party while the police investigation is under way.

He is listed as being "non-aligned" with a party on the borough council's website but still representing the Melton Egerton ward on the authority.

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