The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Councillor’s chant leads to probe
Council: Cllr Azher Iqbal in controversial video on social media
Peterborough Conservatives are to launch an investigation after video emerged of a city councillor leading a derogatory chant during a protest rally outside of Peterborough.
East ward councillor Azher Iqbal has so far not commented.
A Conservative councillor is to be investigated after appearing to make derogatory comments during a rally. Councillor Azher Iqbal, member for East Ward on Peterborough City Council, can be seen on video, leading a chant which calls for ‘Indian dogs to go back’.
In the video cllr Iqbal is holding a microphone and is part of a large group of people leading the chant.
The video has been posted on a Facebook page and has been viewed by many people in Peterborough. He is also seen joining in with a chant which referred to some Indian people as terrorists.
The rally, which took place earlier this year, is believed to have been about the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir which India and Pakistan have fought wars over. Both countries control part of Kashmir but claim it in its entirety.
The Peterborough Conservative Association is now investigating the contents of the video.
Having seen the video, the Conservative council leader, Cllr John Holdich, said he did not expect councillors to behave in the manner shown in the video.
He said: “Whilst I understand that it is everybody’s right to protest, and this is a very passionate subject, it’s not the sort of behaviour I expect from one of my councillors and I shall refer the matter to the party as a matter of urgency for investigation.
“Further to that I cannot comment until I’ve been able to speak to Azher as I’ve asked him to come to see me as soon as possible.”
Cllr Holdich said he had ar- ranged for a meeting to be held with the councillor to discuss the issue.
He said: “We need to discuss what has happened in a formal setting, and that will take place next week.
“I know the rally was not to do with Peterborough pol- itics, but it is something that needs investigation.
“I have not had to deal with a situation like this before.”
He said he could not comment on what action - if any - might be taken against cllr Iqbal following next week’s meeting.
The Peterborough Telegraph has made a number of attempts to contact Cllr Iqbal this week about the rally and comments he is pictured making in the video.
The Peterborough Telegraph left phone messages for Cllr Iqbal and when contacted by email, he asked to see the video in question.
He said: “I am unable to comment on any video which I have not seen. If you could kindly forward it to me and I will forward you my response.”
The Peterborough Telegraph forwarded a link to the video, but at the time of going to press Cllr Iqbal had not responded further.