Bobbi-Anne McLeod: Plymouth City Council Leader temporarily suspended for 'victim-blaming' comments
Nick Kelly released a statement to apologise for the comments that he made during an interview last week
The leader of Plymouth City Council has been temporarily suspended following comments he made during an interview regarding the Bobbi-Anne McLeod case.
Nick Kelly responded to a question saying "everybody has a responsibility not to try to put themselves in a compromising position".
18-year-old Bobbi-Anne went missing on Saturday 20 November after leaving home to go meet her friends in the city centre.
A body was found in Bovisand on Tuesday 23 November, which police confirmed yesterday was that of Bobbi-Anne McLeod.
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport Conservative Association have confirmed that Cllr Kelly has been temporarily suspended, pending an investigation into the comments he made during an interview on November 25.
Following outcry online, the Conservative leader issued an apology, saying he "in no way shape or form was ever suggesting that Bobbi-Anne McLeod did anything wrong."
After this, a group of 16 women Labour councillors and candidates in Plymouth wrote an open letter to Cllr Kelly, urging him to retract his 'victim-blaming' comments - adding that they caused 'real distress'.
A 24-year-old man from Southway has been charged with the murder of Bobbi-Anne.
Cody Ackland has already appeared in court and is next due to make an appearance at Plymouth Crown Court on January 24, 2022.
An inquest will open on Wednesday 1 December.