A NATIONAL NEWSPAPER has revealed this morning that a prominent Moray councillor has appeared in court facing child sex charges.

Fochabers/Lhanbryde Labour councillor Sean Morton is facing four charges that includes the distribution or showing of images of children.

According to the Scottish Sun, Councillor Morton first appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court on Christmas Eve – but senior Labour party officials were not aware until they were informed by the newspaper, which has reported that he has been suspended by his party.

Councillor Morton made no plea or declaration in his private appearance at the court. The charges have been reported as relating to taking, permitting to be taken, or making indecent images of a child, possession of such images and the ‘distribution and showing’ of images.

The Crown Office have confirmed that Councillor Morton appeared on petition and was committed for further examination before being released on bail, no date has been set for his next appearance.

This morning Councillor Morton told insideMoray: “I don’t know what this is based on and I will fight these allegations with everything I have. I will go on fighting for the people I represent as a councillor and will fight to win again in May.”