I will clear my name says mayor facing kerb-crawling trial

Paul Rounding, Mayor of Driffield, has been charged with attempting to pick up a prostitute in St Luke's Street, Hull, on Wednesday, October 27, last year.

He pleaded not guilty when he appeared at Hull Magistrates' Court and was released on bail to stand trial at the same court on March 14.

The married father of one stood as the Labour candidate for East Yorkshire in the last General Election and was narrowly beaten into third behind the Liberal Democrats as Greg Knight retained the seat for the Tories.

Speaking at his home at The Horseshoe, Driffield, before a meeting of the town council last night, Mr Rounding said he would continue to represent the town.

Asked if he was confident of clearing his name, he added: "Absolutely.

"I'm a man of principles and if I had done anything wrong I would have held my hands up. The most important thing is to promote Driffield and that's what I'll be doing."

Mr Rounding, 55, whose wife Lyn is his mayoral consort, has been a town councillor for nearly 25 years and is in his third term as mayor.

The Driffield-born councillor is also president of the Driffield Twinning Association, the Driffield Navigation Amenities Association, and the Driffield Renaissance Partnership.

Colleagues voiced their shock at the news as they arrived at the meeting at Driffield Community Centre last night.

Mr Rounding's predecessor as mayor, Steve Poessl, said: "That's the first I've heard of it. If he's been charged and he's going on trial we will have to wait to see what the court decides."