Labour's Naveeda Ikram was Britain's first female Muslim Lord Mayor
Labour councillor Naveeda Ikram took on the role in 2011 but was suspended by her party amid allegations of "financial irregularities" last year.
The former Lord Mayor of Bradford, 42, was arrested and questioned by officers in Halifax, West Yorkshire last week.
Councillor Ikram, who denies the allegations, emphasised she has not been charged with anything.
The mother-of-three said: "This is a very difficult time for myself, my family, friends and children.
"To avoid any prejudice or bias, it would be best to avoid speculation on social media, Twitter and Facebook.
"I will be hopefully exonerated... No, not hopefully – I will be exonerated."
Councillor Ikram, who was elected to Bradford Council in 2004, said she had been pressing the police to conclude their probe.
She said: "The past four months I have been asking the police to expedite the matter and carry out the investigation as soon as possible. That is what they are doing."
She added: "I want to continued as a committed councillor and to continue with my work."
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "A 42-year-old woman from Bradford was arrested in connection with allegations of misconduct in a public office, localism offences and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
"She has been bailed pending further enquiries."
The force declined to comment on the nature of the alleged "localism offences".
No comments:
Post a Comment