Former deputy leader of Peterborough City Council due in court charged with harassment
Amjad Iqbal, who represents the Central Ward, left the Labour Party last year to become an independent councillor
The former deputy leader of Peterborough City Council is due to appear in court after being charged with harassment.
Amjad Iqbal (49,) of Mayors Walk, Peterborough, was charged yesterday.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said Iqbal was due to appear at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Friday, February 28 to answer the charge.
Iqbal, who represents the Central Ward on the council is currently sitting as an independent councillor. He remains as a councillor following the charge.
He had been a member of the Labour Party, and was the deputy leader of the council following last year’s local elections.
However, in August he announced he was leaving the party saying his views on ‘certain policy matters’ differ from those of the group. As a result of leaving the Labour Party, he gave up his post as Deputy Leader.
At the time of leaving the party, he said: “I strongly believe that if one can do something, especially in public life, one must make sure it is for the good of others.
"I have realised of late that my views on certain policy matters differ from those of my group, and in view of that, with regret, I have decided to resign from the Labour Group with effect from today.
"I have enjoyed working with my Labour colleagues, and I want to thank them for their support over the years.
"I will now represent Central Ward as an independent councillor and will always do my utmost to look after the best interest of my residents."
Iqbal retained his seat in the latest local elections in May last year, winning 1,377 votes. His nearest challenger – Mohammed Munir, representing the Green Party, claimed 820 votes. Iqbal was first elected in 2016, and has held his seat ever since.