Former Kingston RLBC leader, Derek Osbourne, was this week charged with possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

Mr Osbourne, aged 59, of New Malden, is set to appear at the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday September 6. 

He faces five counts of possessing indecent images of children, five counts of distributing indecent images of children, and one count of possession of extreme pornography.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place on or before June 11, 2013, and the Metropolitan Police has confirmed specialist officers from its Paedophile Unit are investigating the case.

Mr Osbourne, who was Liberal Democrat leader of Kingston until his arrest in June, was first made leader of the council in 1997, and had been leader for a second stint since 2003.

He resigned his position and seat in the immediate aftermath of the arrest, sparking a by-election won by a local Conservative candidate.  His deputy, Liz Green, has served as acting leader of Kingston since his departure.

Mr Osbourne's solicitor Phil Smith said: 'My client has fully co-operated with the police since his arrest and continues to do so.'