Brighton deputy mayor suspended from Labour Party
A Brighton councillor has been suspended by the Labour Party during an internal investigation into what has been described as "a serious matter".
Councillor Anne Meadows had been suspended from the party pending the outcome of investigations. a spokeswoman for Labour said.
Ms Meadows, who is deputy mayor, told the BBC she was innocent but did not give details about the allegations.
Brighton and Hove City Council has not yet commented.
The Labour Party spokeswoman said: "It has been confirmed that Councillor Anne Meadows is currently subject to an internal investigation.
"The Labour Party views this as a serious matter, and in accordance with Labour Party rules, Cllr Meadows is currently suspended from the Labour Party and from the Labour and Cooperative Group, pending the outcome of these investigations."
Ms Meadows told BBC Sussex the party had "rushed through" the matter without much consideration and without talking to her.
She said she was "totally shocked" but would be proved innocent.