A spokesperson for Merton Council said: “The Council was notified yesterday (25 January) that Cllr Caroline Charles had been administratively suspended from membership of the national Labour Party, pending the outcome of a confidential investigation. The nature of that internal Labour Party investigation has not been disclosed to Merton Council. 

“The council has subsequently been made aware that Cllr Charles has resigned from the Labour Party and Merton Labour Group. However, she remains a councillor for Ravensbury ward, but now as an independent representative. Residents can continue to contact her on ward issues through her normal channels.”