THE LABOUR Party confirmed today that Rod Hills remained suspended despite having all but one of the criminal charges against him dropped.

The former City of York Council leader yesterday had charges for soliciting a woman for prostitution and wasting police time dismissed by York magistrates.

Other charges for blackmail, witness intimidation and perverting the course of justice were dropped earlier this year.

He must still face trial for careless driving on January 30.

His party suspended him following his arrest in May.

A party spokesman said today: "We need to wait until all police investigations have finished. That takes precedence over our own investigation, which we still plan to carry out.

"Councillor Hills remains suspended and will do so until all investigations are completed."

But Coun Hills has said his association with the party was almost definitely over.

"After the way they have treated me, I don't want to stand for that party again," he said.

"There is a possibility that I might stand as an independent. A week is a long time in politics, and I have several months to consider this."

The next council elections are in May.

The blackmail charge had been dropped last month after it was decided it was not in the public interest to proceed with the charges. The same decision was made for the soliciting and wasting police time charges, a Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said.

Coun Hills said he was considering taking action against the police.

Updated: 11:07 Tuesday, December 24, 2002