Arrested: UK's first Muslim woman Lord Mayor, in Bradford misconduct probe

THE UK's first female Muslim Lord Mayor has been arrested in connection with allegations of perverting the course of justice and misconduct in a public office.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Mar 2016, 14:21 BST
Updated 7th Mar 2016, 17:31 BST
Naveeda Ikram, the UK's first female Muslim Lord Mayor, in the mayoral chamber in Bradford. Pictures: Bruce Rollinson and Ross Parry AgencyNaveeda Ikram, the UK's first female Muslim Lord Mayor, in the mayoral chamber in Bradford. Pictures: Bruce Rollinson and Ross Parry Agency
Naveeda Ikram, the UK's first female Muslim Lord Mayor, in the mayoral chamber in Bradford. Pictures: Bruce Rollinson and Ross Parry Agency

Former Lord Mayor of Bradford, Labour councillor Naveeda Ikram took on the role in 2011 but was suspended by her party after allegations of “financial irregularities” arose last October.

The 42-year-old was arrested and questioned by officers in Halifax, last Thursday and has denied the allegations.

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Councillor Ikram has said she is confident of being exonerated and emphasised she has not been charged with anything.

Naveeda Ikram, the UK's first female Muslim Lord Mayor, in the mayoral chamber in Bradford. Pictures: Bruce Rollinson and Ross Parry AgencyNaveeda Ikram, the UK's first female Muslim Lord Mayor, in the mayoral chamber in Bradford. Pictures: Bruce Rollinson and Ross Parry Agency
Naveeda Ikram, the UK's first female Muslim Lord Mayor, in the mayoral chamber in Bradford. Pictures: Bruce Rollinson and Ross Parry Agency

The mother-of-three has urged people to avoid “unnecessary speculation” on social media.

She said: “This is a very difficult time for myself, my family, friends and children.

“To avoid any prejudice or bias, it would be best to avoid speculation on social media, Twitter and Facebook.

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“I will be hopefully exonerated; no, not hopefully - I will be exonerated.”

Naveeda Ikram, the UK's first female Muslim Lord Mayor, in the mayoral chamber in Bradford. Pictures: Bruce Rollinson and Ross Parry AgencyNaveeda Ikram, the UK's first female Muslim Lord Mayor, in the mayoral chamber in Bradford. Pictures: Bruce Rollinson and Ross Parry Agency
Naveeda Ikram, the UK's first female Muslim Lord Mayor, in the mayoral chamber in Bradford. Pictures: Bruce Rollinson and Ross Parry Agency

During “three to four hours” of police questioning, Councillor Ikram denied the allegations and revealed that in recent months she had been pressing the police to bring their investigation to a conclusion.

She said: “The past four months I have been asking the police to expedite the matter and carry out the investigation as soon as possible.

“That is what they are doing.”

She added: “I want to continued as a committed councillor and to continue with my work.”

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Councillor Ikram, who was born in Rochdale, was elected to Bradford Council in 2004 and last year lost the opportunity to become Labour’s parliamentary candidate in the Bradford West constituency after the party chose Naz Shah, who went on to be elected.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “A 42-year-old woman from Bradford was arrested in connection with allegations of misconduct in a public office, localism offences and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

“She has been bailed pending further enquiries.”

The force declined to comment on the nature of the alleged “localism offences”.

A spokesman for the Yorkshire and Humber Labour Party confirmed Councillor Ikram continued to be suspended.