Greater Manchester council's new deputy mayor facing investigation following 'complaint'

Rochdale council’s new deputy mayor is facing an investigation by the authority after they received a complaint against him.

Coun Shakil Ahmed, who chairs the council’s planning and licensing committee, was sworn in as deputy mayor at its annual meeting earlier this month.

The Labour member for Kingsway will carry out mayoral and ceremonial duties as understudy to Conservative Coun Mike Holly.

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It is understood a complaint was lodged against Coun Ahmed before the council went into the ‘purdah’ period, before this year’s May 4 local elections.

The council has acknowledged that an investigation is underway, as has the Labour Party at a local and regional level. At this stage it is not known whether Coun Ahmed will face a standards committee hearing or what sanctions are being considered, should the complaint against him prove to be founded. A timeline has not been confirmed.

A council spokesperson said: "Following an assessment of a complaint, an investigation is now underway and will be dealt with through the council’s standards process. No further comment will be provided until the investigation has concluded."

Rochdale Labour group has issued a similar statement, saying 'it would be wrong to prejudge' the outcome of an ongoing investigation.

"Therefore, Coun Shakil Ahmed and the Labour Group will be making no comments at this stage, except for the Labour Party’s set comment from the regional party," a spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for Labour North West added: "The party does not comment on internal party matters and any complaints are investigated in line with our rules and procedures."

According to the council’s website Coun Ahmed was born in