Shamed pervert ex-mayor finally resigns as councillor

Paul Tweed was formerly the Mayor of Sefton
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A former Merseyside mayor who pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children has finally resigned as an elected councillor. Last week the ECHO revealed that Cllr Paul Tweed, who represented Litherland on Sefton Council, had been arrested, charged and pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. He is facing sentencing for his crimes next month and has been expelled from the Labour Party.

Court listings show that Tweed, of York Close in Netherton, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs/pseudo-photographs of children at his home between September 9 2020 and May 13 2024. He also pleaded guilty to possession of indecent photographs/pseudo-photographs of children.

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Merseyside Police confirmed Tweed, 61, was arrested on September 24 as part of an ongoing investigation into sexual offences. He appeared in court the following day. He will be sentenced in November.

The Sefton Labour group said it took "immediate action" to remove Tweed as a member after it became aware of his offences. Last week Sefton Council said it had written to Tweed, asking him to resign as a councillor following his guilty pleas, but did not initially hear back.

However, the council has now confirmed that he has indeed resigned from his position on the council. A Sefton Council spokesperson said: "We wrote to Mr Tweed asking him to resign in light of what has happened and we can confirm that we have received a letter of resignation. The vacancy is now being advertised.” A by-election will be triggered for the vacant seat if two local electors within the local authority area make requests to the council's returning officer.

Sefton Councillor Paul Tweed
Sefton Councillor Paul Tweed

Tweed was first elected to Sefton Council in 1992 and has held a number of high ranking positions on the local authority, including holding the cabinet portfolio for corporate services and performance between 2012 and 2015. He became Sefton's civic mayor for the year 2008/09, attending numerous events as the borough's first citizen. Tweed as also a school governor at St Benedict's Catholic Primary School between 2005 and 2018.

A statement from Sefton Labour Group, released after Tweed's crimes came to light, said: "We are deeply troubled to hear of these disturbing charges. Immediate action has been taken in response and we can confirm that Councillor Tweed is no longer a member of Sefton Labour Group or the Labour Party."

Tweed will appear for sentencing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on November 6 to allow time for a for pre-sentence report to be obtained.