Leeds Labour councillor 'sincerely sorry' after breaking lockdown by attending party

Labour member Arif Hussain attended a party on Monday, it has been claimed.

Councillor Hussain, who has represented the Gipton and Harehills ward since 2007, said in a statement on Wednesday he was "sincerely sorry" for his actions.

"It was a breach of the lockdown rules and it should not have happened," he said.

"I apologise to all the residents of Leeds who are enduring lockdown with such good grace and to everyone who is working so hard to keep people safe and our public services running."

Coun Hussain has stood down as chairman of a local area committee and could face disciplinary action from both the Labour Party and the authority.

The council's Labour leader Judith Blake condemned the breach, telling a press conference that she was concerned by a rise in people breaking the rules generally.

She said: "Coun Hussain recognised immediately how serious his actions were.

"He's apologised to us as the council and made a broader apology to the public.

"I think the action we've taken is a very strong message that we expect everyone to abide by the regulations.

"It's up to all of us to keep repeating what the regulations are.

"Clearly we've seen something of a breakdown in adhering to the regulations over the last couple of weeks.

"We are disappointed in that and the risk that could present to the public."

Asked directly whether she herself had complied with lockdown rules since the end of March, Coun Blake replied: "Yes, I've been working from home and I haven't done anything else.

"It's very hard. I have my mother in a care home. I have very young grandchildren who I miss. These are things we're all having to face.

"But we know how serious this is and it's up to us to come together and keep repeating those messages."

Local Democracy Reporting Service