Mayor gives apology for row in Nelson mosque with council licensing officer

The Mayor of Pendle has apologised for breaching the borough’s code of conduct  in a mosque argument with a council licensing officer during Ramadan two years ago.

Coun Mohammad Aslam, a Conservative councillor, was involved in the incident in April 2022 at Nelson’s Ghausia Mosque. It was before he became the mayor.

Lancashire Police and Pendle Council got involved after council licensing officer Wajed Iqbal complained to both. He claimed Coun Aslam said he wanted to ‘destroy’ him during the Nelson mosque confrontation.

Subsequently, a police officer spoke informally to Coun Aslam and issued him with a community resolution – words of advice about his actions. 

Later, Coun Aslam had to attend a Pendle Council standards meeting in October 2023. For clarity, it was not a criminal or a court hearing,

There, it was claimed that Coun Aslam had threatened licensing officer Mr Iqbal regarding an ice cream business – but also referred to vehicle MOT test enforcement and a local election row.  There were also accusations that Coun Aslam called his son during the mosque row, telling him and cousins to come to the mosque, there and then.

At the October 2023 council standards meeting,  Coun Aslam apologised for ‘raised voices’ and any upset that he caused in the mosque confrontation. But he denied many other accusations including alleged threats.

He was found to have breached the council’s code of conduct.  He was told to send a letter to the licensing officer ‘to ensure the future can be resolved and cleared’. He was also told to give an apology to all Pendle councillors, That was rescheduled once or twice but formally given at this month’s July full council meeting,

Coun Aslam gave a written apology which stated: “Members of Pendle Council, I write further to the hearing and findings of the Standards Committee held in October, 2023.

“I am aware of the need to treat members of the public, other councillors and council employees with courtesy and respect at all times. I understand that my behaviour on the evening of April 28, 2022 did not uphold these standards and I sincerely apologise for any offence or distress caused to any individuals.

“Throughout my time as a councillor, I have always worked hard to be courteous to all staff and members of the public, and to treat everyone with respect. I will continue to work hard on behalf of all residents and will always seek to abide by the code of conduct in my future interactions with any individuals.”