Keighley Town Mayor resigns over comments about Pride flag
Cllr Nazam was only elected as Town Mayor at a Council meeting on May 18th.
Last updated 20th Jun 2023
Keighley Town Council says the Pride flag will "continue to fly proudly" after the Town Mayor resigned over comments on social media about it.
Councillor Mohammed Nazam has faced growing backlash after apologising for taking part in raising the flag earlier this month.
The local Conservative group also says his membership has been taken away as they carry out an investigation.
Cllr Nazam was only elected as Town Mayor at a Council meeting on May 18th.
But in a statement to Keighley Town Council on Monday (19/6/23) Cllr Nazam said:
“I want to tender my resignation as Keighley Town Mayor with immediate effect.
“This has been a difficult decision.
“I attended the flag raising for LGBTQ community. This did not conform to my religious beliefs and hence I offered an apology to the Muslim community.
“All elected Muslim representatives would be in the same position.
“By my apology I did not mean any harm to the LGBTQ community. My religion teaches respect and tolerance for all and the law of the land.
“Here in the UK we are proud to have our freedom of expression. People should have the freedom to express their beliefs and live their lives as they wish to. This should apply to all communities and religious beliefs.
“I will continue to work as an Independent Town and District Councillor. I will carry out duties with the due diligence I have always shown.”