The Labour party candidate in the Hounslow council elections Gurpal Virdi has been accused of raping a child.

The former Met police officer from Hounslow is accused of raping a boy and has been summoned to appear before Westminster Magistrates Court on May 30.

Despite being informed of this before the election, Mr Virdi, 55, of Firs Drive, Cranford, said he would still stand.

The allegation came to light after the close of nominations for candidates standing in the Hounslow council elections a few weeks ago.

According to information from Scotland Yard released Friday (April 25), Mr Virdi will be answering the following charge that:

“Between September 30 1986 and December 31 1986 within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court, Mr Gurpal Virdi, being a public officer, namely a Metropolitan Police Officer, and acting as such, without reasonable excuses or justification, willfully misconducted himself to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust in that office.”

It goes on to claim the offence relates to the rape of a minor.

According to electoral law Mr Virdi remained on the ballot paper for Cranford ward.

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