Luton Liberal Democrat councillor has party whip restored after complaint withdrawn
A Luton borough councillor has had the party whip restored by the Liberal Democrats, after a national inquiry into what he described as “a malicious complaint” made against him.
Lib Dem Wigmore councillor Adrees Latif had to become an Independent temporarily, while the matter was investigated by the party.
Posting on social media, councillor Latif wrote: “My Liberal Democrat party whip was formally restored at last night’s (Tuesday, March 17) full borough council meeting.
“I remain committed to serving Wigmore as a Liberal Democrat councillor. I’ll continue to hold this (Luton) Labour administration to account, championing transparency, fairness and the interests of our community.”
Liberal Democrat group leader and Barnfield councillor Amjid Ali said: “Our procedures were followed and councillor Latif was given an opportunity to make his representation. But the complaint was withdrawn during this time, and so the matter was settled.”
Councillor Latif told the local democracy reporting service before the official confirmation of his return to the Liberal Democrat ranks: “I was reinstated by the national party.
“It was a malicious complaint made against me,” he claimed. “I then went to Bedfordshire Police and reported it as such.
“The complainant was spoken to by the Liberal Democrats and the complaint to the party was formally withdrawn. Someone tried to discredit me and it was a frivolous complaint, as well. The party had to investigate it and I was suspended while the inquiry took place.
“But as the complaint was withdrawn in this case, there was nothing to investigate. There were no sanctions either because it was malicious. There was no evidence and nothing to back it up.
“The party didn’t quite manage the process properly. It was a little harsh that they suspended me, without really getting my side of the story. I’m upset they didn’t chat to me first.
“I’ve asked the party to look at the process. The party’s attitude is it did that to protect me. They need to get both sides of the story before taking drastic action.
“It’s had a negative effect, as opposition political parties make use of that against me. I can how the party was trying to be proactive and fair. But unfortunately it’s had a negative effect.”
A Lib Dem spokesman said in a statement: “Complaints are handled confidentially through an independent process and according to published procedures.”
Ahead of next month’s Wigmore by-election, there are now 28 Labour councillors, 14 Liberal Democrats, three Conservatives and two Independents on the council.
The by-election was required by legal process, after Lib Dem councillor Alan Skepelhorn failed to attend any local authority meetings for more than six months.