ONE of the region's senior politicians will appear in court this morning charged with offences including blackmail and soliciting women for prostitution.

Rod Hills, who has been the leader of York City Council for the past 15 years and was awarded a CBE by The Queen, will appear before magistrates in the city.

The university lecturer appeared at Fulford Road police station yesterday to answer bail and was last night charged with perverting the course of justice, witness intimidation, wasting police time, blackmail, soliciting women for the purpose of prostitution and dangerous driving.

His fiancee, Fay Simpson, 31, a mother-of-five, will also appear in court today charged with obstructing police, perverting the course of justice and witness intimidation.Both were detained in custody last night.

The police inquiry is understood to date back to March when photographs relating to Mr Hills private life were reported stolen in a burglary from his home in Huntington Road, York and attempts were made to circulate them in the city.

In April, police searched the home he had shared with his late wife, Carol Wallace, and removed several items for examination.

Mr Hills, who has represented the Clifford ward for 23 years, was arrested at the end of last month.

The Labour Party's ruling National Executive Committee suspended Mr Hills from the party, only seven days after he had been re-elected leader of the authority.

The council's Labour group voted to replace him as leader last Friday and the decision is expected to be verified by full council on Monday