Council party leader and former mayor ‘refutes any wrongdoing’ after being arrested on suspicion of fraud

Friday, 12 September 2025 14:31

By Chris Gee

A councillor who leads a hyper-local party has been arrested on suspicion of fraud.

David Grant, 51, the leader of the Horwich and Blackrod First party, was arrested on Tuesday, September 9 by officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and later released on bail as police investigations continue.

Coun Grant was the Mayor of Horwich for the 2023/24 municipal year when he was also chair of Horwich Town Council.

In a statement Coun Grant said he was aware of the allegations, which he said centred on his purchase of a property.

He said he ‘completely refutes any wrongdoing’ and had not been charged with any offences. In addition to the police investigation, it is understood that Bolton Council has received a number of complaints under its code of conduct for members.

Coun Grant said: “I am aware of allegations to do with a property I have purchased recently which have gone to the Bolton Council’s borough solicitor.

“After investigation, in her words she deemed these complaints to ‘appear to fall into the category of malicious, vexatious and politically motivated.’

“I have not been charged with anything. I completely refute any wrongdoing.”

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Bolton Council has not conducted a formal investigation into these allegations.

“We are not able to comment further at this time due to an ongoing investigation by Greater Manchester Police.”

A spokesperson for GMP said: “A 51-year-old man was arrested in Horwich on September 9, on suspicion of fraud and later released on bail.”

Coun Grant won his seat in Horwich and Blackrod ward on Bolton council in 2021 and went on to became leader of the party in 2022.

His mayoral profile on the Horwich Town Council website states that he formerly worked in finance for both the BBC and ABN Amro commercial bank.

He is the current chair of Bolton council’s audit committee and also sits on the cabinet committee as a party leader.

Horwich & Blackrod First currently have three councillors on Bolton Council.

A statement from the party, said: “Coun Grant has the support of our full party and we look forward to this ordeal being over with.”

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