The leader of Kirklees Council is facing questions after a Labour councillor was jailed for perverting the course of justice.

The Conservative Group on Kirklees Council is demanding answers from Council Leader Shabir Pandor. 

It comes after Batley East councillor Fazila Loonat and her partner were jailed for being involved in a “prolonged and sustained attempt” to pervert the course of justice over a speeding offence. 

Loonat was jailed for 14 weeks. She was described in court as the “lead individual” and it was said she had been the architect of the offence.

In his letter, Cllr Hall set out four questions:

When was Cllr Pandor made aware of the police investigation into Cllr Loonat?

When was Cllr Pandor made aware that Cllr Loonat had been charged with the offence?

Was anyone in the Labour Party aware of the investigation before Cllr Loonat was nominated to stand in the May 2021 local election?

Why did Cllr Pandor not suspend Cllr Loonat from the Labour Group when either you learnt of the investigation or were told of the charges?

Cllr Hall said: “Kirklees residents expect and deserve the highest standards from their elected councillors. Perverting the course of justice in this manner is a very serious offence, as the gravity of the sentence bears out, and I believe Cllr Pandor should have acted when he first learnt of the criminal investigation.

“Cllr Pandor should have removed the Labour whip from Cllr Loonat long before now: it is accepted practice in all political parties, in order to uphold public confidence, that elected members are suspended pending any ongoing police investigation.

"The fact that Cllr Loonat is still sitting as a Labour member of Kirklees Council is disgraceful and shows a serious lack of judgement on the part of Cllr Pandor.

“Cllr Pandor should immediately suspend Cllr Loonat from the Labour group and come clean about what he knew when.”

Cllr Pandor told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “I was informed of the case on February 28, 2023.

"I immediately contacted the Labour party, who suspended Cllr Loonat. Following the judgement against her, the Labour Party will be taking action in regard to Cllr Loonat.”

Last Friday (July 7), the LDRS asked Kirklees Council whether Cllr Loonat would be allowed to continue sitting on Kirklees Council following her release.

A spokesperson said: “Given the right of appeal, we are unable to comment further at this time.”