A veteran councillor accused of fly-tipping has returned to the Labour fold.

Former borough Mayor and Shear Brow and Corporation Park ward's Cllr Hussain Akhtar suspended himself from the Blackburn with Darwen Council Labour group in August last year, pending his case being heard at Burnley Magistrates Court in November.

He stands accused of fly tipping at a bonfire in Blackburn.

He has now returned to the authority's ruling party group after his case was indefinitely postponed.

It is thought this is due to backlogs in the courts which have built up due to problems with RAAC concrete at Blackpool and Preston magistrates' courts.

Cllr Akhtar has denied the allegation and has already entered a 'not guilty plea' at a preliminary hearing in August.

The alleged offence took place November 4, 2021, before the popular annual bonfire at Witton Park in Blackburn.

Blackburn with Darwen Council and Labour group leader Cllr Phil Riley confirmed the withdrawal of Cllr Akhtar's self-suspension, in the light of the postponement of the court case.

He said: “Cllr Akhtar now finds himself in a difficult situation as the court appearance has not been rescheduled.

"It does not seem fair to him or his ward electors that he continues to self-suspend in these circumstances."

Cllr Akhtar, who is up for re-election in May, said: “I have, of course, continued to work for the local residents over the last few months, but it’s much better and more effective to work within the Labour group and I’m pleased to be back."

The authority's Conservative group leader, Cllr John Slater, said: "I think that he was right in the first place to suspend himself.

"I think it's strange to be taken back now, although it's a matter for the Labour Party."

Cllr Mustafa Desai, leader of the 4BwD group, formed in November by councillors who quit Labour over the leadership's stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, said: "Cllr Hussain Akhtar, whilst sitting as an 'Independent', has always maintained he would be returning back to the Labour party at the earliest opportunity.

"With the local elections just around the corner, and Cllr Hussain Akhtar standing for re-election, the step he has taken alleviates any ambiguity around his political affiliation and thus provides clarity for the electorate."

It is alleged Cllr Akhtar, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen in 2016/2017, dumped waste, which included wood, metal, glass, electrical items and general building works waste at Witton Park in Blackburn on November 4 2021.

The prosecution has been brought by Blackburn with Darwen Council.