Panel approves 'in-depth investigation' into lockdown breach by three Luton councillors

The councillors, Tahir Malik, who resigned as mayor, Waheed Akbar and Asif Masood, issued an apology, after ignoring social distancing guidelines at a social event.

Photos and a video of the gathering appeared on social media, triggering hundreds of complaints and prompting national news coverage.

Councillor Malik was shown to have a mask, which was hanging below his chin.

A meeting of the borough council's local assessment panel yesterday (Thursday) was shown a photo of a smaller group in the garden saying prayers, with the ex-mayor clearly wearing the mask and protective gloves.

The panel decided to ask the council's service director human resources and monitoring officer, Angela Claridge, to further investigate the complaints based on the evidence.

Conservative Bramingham councillor John Young, who chairs the panel, said: "It's been a very difficult afternoon.

"We hope we can moves things further along in a speedy way."

Councillor Akbar and councillor Malik submitted written statements to the panel.

Councillor Akbar said he was at the event, described as a prayer meeting, in a private capacity.

The monitoring officer referred to "a lack of clarity in the capacity in which they were attending" the event.

"What's clear is the three councillors were at an event on July 21," she said.

"There were numerous photos taken and a video showing the three councillors with others, about 12 in total, in a private garden.

"It's very clear, it's identifiable they are the three councillors and those three haven't denied they were there.

"The context is that Luton was on the government watch list and additional interventions were put in place later that week.

"At the time, the government guidance was clear that only a maximum of six people were able to meet outdoors.

"Photos of the event were circulated on social media, perhaps up to 80, and a video.

"We've also had many hundreds of comments, on Facebook and Twitter around the public's view and perception of that event," added the monitoring officer.

"Five members of the public used the standards complaints form making the accusation that three councillors have breached the code of conduct.

"But that's only the tip of the iceberg in terms of a measure of the amount of disquiet there has been."

A 6,200-signature petition calling for the three councillors to resign was also submitted to the council.

In a statement after the meeting, Luton Borough Council's chief executive Robin Porter said the public deserves to know the outcome of an in-depth investigation as soon as possible.

Mr Porter said: "A panel of cross-party councillors and independent members met for the first time to discuss the complaints received by the local authority.

"Once the further investigation, as per the procedure, is completed the panel will meet again to make a decision."

The panel is a sub-committee of the council's standards committee, which has overall responsibility for the behaviour and conduct of councillors.