A solicitor from Cheshire has been suspended from practising after he was arrested on suspicion of fraud.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority today intervened to prevent partner Andrew Taylor from practising at his firm in Cheadle.

Police confirmed last week that they had arrested a 56-year-old man on suspicion of fraud by abuse of position after searching the firm’s offices.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said the investigation was complex and is likely to take some time.

The SRA said it was satisfied there were grounds for intervention ‘because there is reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of Mr Taylor’.

The firm itself, Andrew J Taylor, will continue to operate, as the intervention does not affect the practice of fellow partner Doreen Lovett, who is not the subject of any investigation. She told the Gazette she had applied for registration as a sole practitioner.

Taylor was unavailable for comment. A recorded message said that he would be absent from the office until further notice.

The practice was established in 1990 and specialises in commercial property, wills and probate and employment law, as well as carrying out general company and commercial work.

Taylor is a prominent member of the local community, with his Twitter profile listing him as chairman of Cheadle Civic Society, treasurer for the village cricket club and member of the village hall and traders associations.