AN Eden councillor has been arrested and questioned on suspicion of rape and having sex with a child under 16.

Tony Brunskill, 65, who represents Lazonby on Eden District Council, was arrested and held overnight.

He will be questioned by Cumbria Police again on February 1.

A Cumbria Police spokesperson said: “We can confirm that a 65-year-old man from Penrith was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual activity with a teenage boy.

“He was arrested and kept overnight at the station in Carlisle.

“He was not charged but he has been bailed until February 1.”

Mr Brunskill, who lives at Great Salkeld, near Penrith, has served as an Eden District Councillor for more than 19 years.

He is also chairman of Great Salkeld Parish Council. Eden District Council’s chief executive Kevin Douglas said Mr Brunskill would continue in his role as district councillor as he had not been charged with a criminal offence.

“Any criminal investigations would be confidential,” he said. “However, you can rest assured that the council would take any action necessary to protect its interests and that of the people of Eden in respect of any matter that was brought to its attention.”

Alongside his council roles, Mr Brunskill is the director of a successful media company, 4 Square PR.

He is also a member of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, a non-executive director of Cumbria Tourism and former chairman of its commercial members committee.

Derek Armstrong, business development manager at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said: “We take these accusations extremely seriously and anyone found guilty of such offences will have their chamber membership terminated immediately.”

Mr Brunskill was unavailable for comment.

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