Labour councillor investigated over accusations of homophobic abuse towards fellow politician
A top Labour councillor in Rochdale is being investigated over claims that he shouted homophobic abuse at a fellow councillor.
Farooq Ahmed, who heads finance at Rochdale council, was questioned by police officers over the incident which took place on Thursday afternoon.
Witnesses said they saw Mr Ahmed in a heated row with Labour councillor Neil Emmott on Cheetham Street in Rochdale.
During the argument, the councillor was said to have screamed homophobic insults at Mr Emmott.
He was not arrested at the scene, but was due to be questioned by police over the weekend.
According to reports, one witness has already given a statement about the run-in between the councillors.
The Labour Party is said to be closely watching the progress of this case, before making a decision on whether to suspend him.
Emails about a grooming scandal were the cause of the argument, according to reports, as the councillor was caught in an argument with the town’s MP Simon Danczuk.
Councillor Ahmed was previously suspended by the Labour Party after a video emerged which appeared to show him smoking marijuana, however he was adamant that it was a mint cigarette, and was reinstated.
