Keighley councillor suspended after concerns raised in Parliament
It comes after Keighley MP Robbie Moore raised Councillor Mohsin Hussain's 2014 criminal conviction for his part in a serious assault
THE Labour Party has confirmed that is has “administratively suspended” a Keighley Councillor pending an investigation.
On Wednesday at Prime Minister’s Question Time Keighley MP Robbie Moore urged Keir Starmer to block labour Councillor Mohsin Hussain from standing for re-election in the Keighley Central ward.
The Conservative MP referred to Cllr Hussain’s 2014 conviction for attacking a man with a pickaxe handle as part of a street attack in Keighley.
He also referred to a photograph of Cllr Hussain sat at a restaurant table with a group that included men who have alleged to have drug related convictions.
The PM replied to Mr Moore by saying: “I thank him for raising this. I will look into it straight away and give him a full answer.”
Later that day the national Labour Party suspended Cllr Hussain pending an investigation.
After his past was raised in Parliament, Cllr Hussain said: “I’ve come out about my past in the press before. Society is about giving people second chances, and I’m proud my community have allowed me this second chance.
“I’ve since gained the reputation as a hard working councillor. Stop attacking me for something from my past. People know about it and elected me and re-elected me.”
Late yesterday he confirmed that he had been suspended, said he would be “happy to answer any questions” and will “continue to be honest” amid the investigation into his criminal past.
When asked if he would be running in the upcoming local elections, which will take place in early May, Cllr Hussain said he had not yet made a decision.
When asked for confirmation of the suspension, a Labour spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “These are serious allegations.
“The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures.”
They confirmed Cllr Hussain has been administratively suspended from the Labour Party, pending an investigation.
Cllr Hussain is now listed as an independent on Bradford Council’s website.
His suspension means that two of the three Councillors currently representing Keighley Central are now Independent after being suspended by their respective parties.
In 2023 Conservative Keighley Central Councillor Mohammed Nazam was suspended by the party after apologising for attending a Pride event.
He had attended the Pride flag raising ceremony in his then role as Mayor of Keighley, and later caused outrage after apologising for attending the event on Facebook.
He said his attendance was a “lapse in judgement” and urged the community to forgive him.
He has been an independent since.