A former Bradford Lord Mayor has been suspended by the Labour Party pending an investigation following remarks made on social media.
Councillor Khadim Hussain, who currently represents the Keighley Central ward, is alleged to have shared a number of controversial Facebook posts last month.
One of the messages stated that children do not learn about the deaths of millions of Africans but rather the education system ‘only tells you about Anne Frank and the six million Zionists that were killed by Hitler’.
Speaking to the Asian Express, Cllr Hussain vowed to clear his name over what he said were misinterpreted comments.
“Let me be very clear that I will be protesting this suspension quite vigorously,” he said.
“They are purely allegations. The poster was highlighting the element of evil and I was saying that it has no faith, religion or ethnicity – evil is evil.
“Whether it is Hitler killing innocent people or if it is happening in Africa, or the Islamic State…they all have one thing in common, they are killing innocent people. That is what I was trying to highlight.”
Cllr Hussain was Lord Mayor of Bradford between 2013 and 2014.
He has served as a local councillor for over a decade and says his work highlights that he is not discriminatory to any race or religion.
“It is very unfortunate that some people have misinterpreted my stance and I will be writing in detail to the Labour party to fight my case,” he added.
“I have a 12 year blemish free record as a councillor and have always served my community with dignity and respect.
“As Lord Mayor, I brought faiths together, communities together and had over 1,500 engagements during my time. This is totally a negative perspective on my track record and I will clear my name.”
Despite Cllr Hussain’s comments, calls for his resignation have been made by some.
Amongst them is Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley Kris Hopkins.
Speaking from Westminster, Mr Hopkins said: “I was alerted to these comments earlier today and have now had a chance to read them.
“Hate-filled statements such as those which seem to have been supported by Cllr Hussain only take us backwards.
“I understand he has just been suspended by the Labour Party. However, unless he can come up with a coherent explanation for how or why he was not responsible for these posts, he must resign immediately as a Keighley Central ward councillor.
“He has brought shame to the town and is not fit to represent anyone.”
