The reported rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton on Tuesday 22 July was a truly horrific crime,” Mr Franklin-Smith added.
“My responsibility is what Warwickshire Police say and do and we will continue to work with our partners across the county on behalf of the Warwickshire public.
“I am confident that Warwickshire Police has treated this investigation seriously from the outset, working tirelessly to identify, locate, arrest and charge those suspected of being responsible for this awful crime as quickly as possible.”
He confirmed he had first spoken to Finch, who at 19 is the youngest council leader in the UK, about the matter on 31 July as it was “good practice” to work closely with partner agencies.
“You informed me you had already received a confidential briefing from your Chief Executive and that you knew the person charged was an asylum seeker,” he wrote.
“I confirmed this was accurate and we wouldn’t be releasing immigration status at point of charge as we follow national guidance.”
Finch had published a letter on his social media accounts on Sunday, claiming the chief executive of the council, Monica Fogarty, had told him Mohammad Kabir was an asylum seeker living in a house of multiple occupancy.
Ahmad Mulakhil faces two rape charges, while Mohammad Kabir is accused of kidnap, strangulation and aiding and abetting the rape of a girl aged under 13.
The men, both from the Warwickshire town, will next appear at Warwick Crown Court on 26 August.