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Manchester’s Labour group has suspended a councillor over claims he breached coronavirus travel regulations by flying to Pakistan to attend a family wedding.
Images obtained by the Manchester Evening News show Aftab Razaq posing with guests and what are understood to be friends and family members.
There is also a wedding party photograph showing Coun Razaq posing with guests alongside the bride and groom.
The images were posted on a person’s Facebook profile – not Coun Razaq’s – on February 14, though it has not been confirmed when they were taken.
The pictures were tagged at a restaurant and banquet hall in Pakistan. They were posted on a page which is publicly-visible.
In the photos, Coun Razaq is not wearing a face covering.
There is no evidence of social distancing in the images.
Under current UK Covid-19 restrictions, it is illegal for people to travel abroad for holidays and other leisure purposes.
People must not travel aboard unless they have a legally permitted reason to do so.
Coun Razaq, who lives in Chorlton, represents the Whalley Range ward on Manchester council for the Labour party.
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Party officials in Manchester said on Friday an investigation was underway – and that they were attempting to contact him ‘urgently’.
It has now been confirmed Coun Razaq has been suspended by the Labour group in Manchester.
He has not been suspended from the Labour Party.
The Manchester Evening News has repeatedly attempted to contact Coun Razaq for comment.
The M.E.N. called at his home in Chorlton and were told by a man who said he was a relative that Coun Razaq was out of the country at a family funeral.
Councillor Pat Karney, secretary for the Manchester Labour group, confirmed an investigation was underway.
He said: “We are investigating allegations that councillor Aftab Razaq has attended a family wedding in Pakistan.
“The investigation was prompted after we were alerted to images posted on social media which appear to show him at a wedding.
“We are urgently trying to contact him in Pakistan for an explanation of the photographs.
“All Manchester councillors must abide rigorously to Covid-19 regulations.
“We will take action against any individual who does not.”
Coun Karney said the investigation would commence on Coun Razaq’s return to the country.
Councillor Suzanna Reeves, Manchester Labour group chief whip, said: “Following allegations that whilst in Pakistan, Coun Aftab Razaq has attended a wedding and in doing so has broken UK and Pakistan Covid regulations, he has been suspended from Labour group.
“This is an administrative suspension pending investigation upon his return.”
It is understood the North West Labour Party is aware of the issue and is also investigating.
They confirmed his suspension from the Labour group in Manchester.
The UK’s Gov.uk website states: “On 21 December, the Pakistan government announced that, due to the Covid-19 situation, inbound travellers from the UK, or those who have been in the UK in the last 10 days, will not be able to enter Pakistan. The Pakistan government has announced that the restriction will be extended until 28 February 2021
“There are some exemptions to this restriction.:
“From 9 January, all those who have a Pakistani passport, National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis or Pakistani Origin Card are allowed to enter Pakistan.”
A negative Covid-19 must be achieved 72 hours before travel.
Coun Razaq was first elected to the council in Whalley Range in 2018.