Mayor of Luton absent from full council meeting as Lib Dems demand answers over lockdown breach

Mayor of Luton, Cllr Tahir Malik, attended a large gathering alongside Cllr Waheed Akbar and Cllr Asif Masood, without wearing face masks or social distancing.

Pictures of the party caused public outrage last week when they were shared on social media.

The three councillors have issued a public apology but remain in their positions, while they are being investigated by both the Labour Party and Luton Borough Council.

As the mayor, Cllr Malik would be expected to chair the full council meeting but is absent from today's session.

Cllr Waheed Akbar, having had an apology given on his behalf at the start, joined the meeting around an hour after it began saying he was held up in traffic.

Liberal Democrat opposition councillors are pressing for answers regarding the lockdown breach.

Leader of the Lib Dem group, Cllr David Franks said: “It is outrageous that the three Labour councillors put tens, if not hundreds, of Luton residents, including many they are supposed to represent, in danger of contracting the deadly coronavirus by attending a mass gathering with no protection or distancing at all.

“Their arrogant behaviour contravening their own council’s instructions proves yet again they believe they make the rules for others to follow and that they can ignore them when they want to hold a tea party with their friends.

“Will the Labour leader of the council condemn their actions?

“What disciplinary action is to be taken by the council? By the local Labour Party?

“Do the leading Labour councillors, members and officers of the Labour Party think a corporate apology manufactured & issued by Labour Party press office and an excuse so threadbare that nobody believes it are enough?”

> More to follow.