VETERAN politician Hussain Akhtar has been suspended from sitting for Labour on Blackburn with Darwen Council until his court case over alleged fly-tipping is heard.

The Shear Brow and Corporation Park representative is now an independent.

He has been suspended temporarily from the council Labour group but remains a member of the party.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's Labour leader Cllr Phil Riley said: "Cllr Hussain Akhtar is sitting as an Independent until legal proceedings in which he is involved have been resolved."

The Lancashire Telegraph understands this is normal Labour Party practice.

A pre-trial hearing is expected to take place next month with three days assigned for a full trial at Burnley Magistrates Court in November.

The 75-year-old councillor, of Shear Bank Road, Blackburn, has pleaded not guilty to causing the deposition without an environmental permit of controlled waste in/on land, in relation to an incident which dates back to November 4, 2021.

It is alleged on this date Cllr Akhtar dumped waste, which included wood, metal, glass, electrical items and general building works waste at Witton Park in Blackburn.

He appeared before magistrates in August and entered his not guilty plea.

Cllr Akhtar, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen in 2016/2017, denies the charges against him.

The prosecution has been brought by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Cllr Akhtar declined to make any immediate comment on his suspension.