Rochdale council’s new deputy mayor facing investigation

The new deputy mayor of Rochdale is facing an investigation by the local authority.

Councillor Shakil Ahmed, who chairs Rochdale 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 Councillor Mike Holly.

It is understood the complaint was lodged 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 Councillor Ahmed will face a standards committee hearing or what sanctions are being considered, should the claims 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, Councillor 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 Councillor Ahmed was born in Kashmir and brought up in the UK – going to primary school in Coventry before moving to Rochdale in 1984, where he attended Broadfield High School.

‘A very proud father and grandfather’ he is said to regularly organise and supervise local football and cricket tournaments.

Described as ‘a very proud Rochdalian’, the council profile adds that he ‘believes very strongly in equality, social justice and equal opportunities for all.’

“As an active member of the faith community he helped create praying facilities for marginalised faith groups in his ward,” it says.

“Shakil has been very active in the voluntary sector, in 2012 he became a councillor, he believes in giving back to the community and no task is too big or too small for him.”

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporting Service