A COUNCIL by-election will be held next month, after a councillor accused of raping a young girl resigned from his post.

Former North Herts District councillor Richard Harman, 50, of Denby in Letchworth GC, resigned last month after being charged with the offence. He is due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court on November 16 for a plea and case management hearing.

The former Letchworth South-East Tory councillor is accused of raping a girl under the age of 16 in Letchworth GC between 1978 and 1979.

A by-election is planned for November 15 – the same date as the Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

An NHDC spokesman did not give a reason for the resignation.

He said: “A by-election is planned for the Letchworth South East ward on 15 November following the resignation of Richard Harman. No reason was given to the council for his resignation.”

A by-election planned for the same date will also be held in Hitchwood, Offa & Hoo, after the death of one the ward’s councillors last month.

David Miller, a Conservative councillor who lived in St Ipployts, passed away at Lister Hospital, with councillors at the time paying tribute to the “fantastic” former chairman of the council.

A memorial service was held for him at St Mary’s Church in Hitchin two weeks ago.

No candidates have been announced for either ward yet, but NHDC said that it would be publishing notice of elections next week, and would have a list ready on October 23.

A list of those nominated will be published on that same day.