A FORMER Liberal Democrat has turned his back on his party to join Labour over the council’s failure to tackle deprivation.

But the ruling Liberal Democrat party hit back saying that Jamil Munir’s career with the party was already finished.

Mr Munir, who was Bradley ward councillor for four years, has now applied to join the Labour Party, because he believes the party has failed to invest in deprived areas.

Labour said the ruling party had been left in total disarray after losing seven seats at May’s elections, but managed to retain the majority on the executive committee.

Mr Munir, a Liberal member for more than 25 years, who served as the executive member for leisure, said: “I am embarrassed and ashamed that the Lib Dem Party in Pendle has become so damaged and dysfunctional.

“I have been proud to represent my community and the ward - but the Lib Dem Party instead of taking Pendle forward is dragging it back.”

Pendle Labour Group leader, Coun Mohammed Iqbal, who represents the Bradley ward, said: “For more than 15 years Jamil has worked tirelessly for the people of Pendle.

"He is a man of great ability and experience and I’m delighted he is applying to join the Labour Party.

"This is a tremendous boost for Labour in Pendle on the back of our successes in the May local elections.”

Coun Tony Greaves said the Mr Munir had actively campaigned against the Lib Dems in Brierfield, which the party lost to Labour in May’s local elections.

He said: “It is well known within the party that his political career with the party was over and he would never have been chosen to stand for council as a Liberal ever again.”

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