A LIBERAL Democrat group has been criticised for promoting a member accused of benefit fraud to be its deputy leader.

Labour councillor Dave Harling, former resources chief at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said Coun Arif Waghat's court case should have been heard before he was given positions of respon-sibility.

But Lib Dem leader Coun David Foster said there was no problem with Coun Waghat taking up the job because he was innocent until proven guilty.

Coun Waghat, who represents Shear Brow, has pleaded not guilty to council tax and benefit fraud allegations and is due again in court next month.

His appointment has emerged after the Lancashire Telegraph last month revealed that the party had been forced to drop Coun Waghat's nomination to be 'lead' member for citizen and consumer rights - overseeing the department that administers benefits - for the Tory, Lib Dem and For Darwen Party coalition running the council.

Coun Abdul Rehman took up that role after the intervention of chief executive Graham Burgess and the authority's legal director, Linda Comstive.

Coun Waghat was then made vice-chairman of a scrutiny committee, and it has now been revealed he is Lib Dem deputy leader.

Coun Harling said that in the past, when councillors, faced court action or police investigations, they had resigned their positions until the situation was resolved.

He said: "Of course I accept that he has not been found guilty of any charges but it does appear that the coalition has ignored Coun Waghat's difficult position."

Coun Foster said: "Coun Waghat is a valuable member of the group.

"He has done a lot of hard work for the party and his constituents and deserves to be considered innocent until proven other-wise."