A FORMER SNP councillor will stand trial next year charged with falsely claiming to police he had been sexually assaulted.

Michael Cullen, 38, also allegedly provided a false statement and documentation to officers between February and April 2018.

Mr Cullen, who now independently represents the Garscadden/Scotstounhill ward, is said to have made the false claim in March 2017.

Prosecutors allege he “falsely represented” to three police officers that he had been sexually assaulted in October 2014.

The charge states Mr Cullen falsely claimed he had been the “victim of sexual assault” and caused officers to devote time and services at the public expense to an investigation.

Mr Cullen faces a second charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

He is said to have claimed that he was impacted mentally and financially by the alleged sexual assault in a review application.

The charge goes on to state this was an attempt to have the Crown reconsider the allegation after a decision was made not to prosecute.

Mr Cullen, of Knightswood, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

A trial was set for January next year by Sheriff Johanna Johnston QC who bailed Mr Cullen meantime.