A child abuse investigation into a former Manchester Labour councillor has been dropped by police.
No action will be taken against David Royle, who had represented Fallowfield for more than a decade.
Mr Royle - who did not stand for reselection in his ward this year - said he would be returning to politics after taking a break to recover from the stress brought on by the allegations.
Police launched the investigation last summer after he was accused of unlawful sexual activity with a boy under 16.
He was arrested in July before being suspended by the Labour party and bailed several times over the months that followed, while officers looked into the claim.
Mr Royle did not attend council meetings for more than six months as a result and before the May local elections stood down as councillor, allowing another Labour member to be selected in his place.
On April 19 police confirmed they would not be taking any action against the 49-year-old following a review of evidence by the Crown Prosecution Service.
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He admitted the investigation had taken its toll in terms of stress, but said he had been touched by the level of support from Fallowfield residents on the doorstep while campaigning for his party during the election.
The Labour veteran - who was first elected to the council 16 years ago and has served on both the licensing and community scrutiny committees - said he would now be taking some time out to recover from the intense stress brought on by the allegations.
But he told the M.E.N. he fully intended to return to politics in the near future.
A spokesman for GMP said: “On Monday 27 July 2015, a 49-year-old man from Fallowfield was arrested on suspicion of sexual activity with a child.
“He was bailed pending further enquiries and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, a decision has now been made to take no further action against him.
“This is in relation to disclosures made to police that a man engaged in sexual activity with a boy under the age of 16.”
Mr Royle’s place on the council has been filled by newly elected Labour candidate Zahra Alijah.
