Tory councillors resign after Palestine march suspension

Cllrs Abdul Wahid and Mohammad Irfan, both of the Hollinwood ward, have confirmed they have now left the Conservatives to continue their duties as Independents.

The two councillors, alongside Cllr Kamran Ghafoor also of the Hollinwood ward, were into their third month of suspension from the party due to taking part in a protest on Armistice Day.

Naveed Chowhan (left), Cllr Muhammad Irfan (second left) and Cllr Abdul Wahid (right) have all left the Conservative party (Image: Naveed Chowhan)

Cllr Wahid said: "I have officially resigned from the party yesterday [Tuesday], along with my colleague Cllr Irfan and Naveed Chowhan - who is standing in the upcoming elections.

"We're going to stay on as Independents, we aren't going to join another party.

"We were suspended from the party for further investigation and the suspension keeps getting extended. At the time my initial feeling was to do what I did yesterday."

Cllr Muhammad Irfan (bottom left), Naveed Chowhan (bottom, third from left), Cllr Abdul Wahid (top middle) at the London-based protest in November, which Cllr Kamran Ghafoor (front, second from right) was also in attendance (Image: Naveed Chowhan)

Cllr Wahid became a member of the party 12 months ago, and helped the Conservatives take all three seats in the Hollinwood ward - which was considered a Labour stronghold.

He continued: "They tried to censor us and stop us from speaking about the Palestinian people, and my conscience can't take being part of a party that supports the genocide of the Palestine people."

Conservative PM Rishi Sunak during PMQs last month in response to a question about the conflict said he had been "clear on multiple times" that the Government was "deeply concerned about the impact of the fighting in Gaza on the civilian population".

He added:  “Too many people have lost their lives and there is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support in Gaza."Cllr Abdul Wahid will continue his duties as an Independent (Image: Oldham Council)

Speaking in December, meanwhile, the Prime Minister also said Britain continues to consider a two-state solution as the “right outcome” to the Israel-Hamas war.

He repeated his call for a “sustainable ceasefire” that involves Hamas no longer firing rockets at Israel and freeing hostages in exchange for more aid into the Gaza Strip.

Mr Chowhan who was due to stand in the Waterhead ward as a Conservative, also told The Oldham Times that he has resigned as a member of the party.

He explained that he will now be running as an Independent in the ward in the upcoming local elections, and will receive the backing from the Hollinwood councillors.

Cllr Muhammad Irfan has resigned from the Conservative party (Image: Oldham Council)

He said: "We were all part of the same group; when they started up last year I was part of their campaign team.

"They got suspended from the party which put us on a backburner because I think we thought we put the Conservatives on the map in Oldham when we won three seats in Hollinwood.

"So, we asked ourselves, 'if we can't speak or protest, are we in the right party?'"

In a statement to The Oldham Times, Graham Sheldon, leader of the Conservatives in Oldham, said: "It is with deep regret that Cllr Wahid and Cllr Irfan are no longer members of the Conservative Party and the Conservative group, on Oldham Council.

"Both councillors along with Cllr Ghafoor were elected to the ward of Hollinwood, a monumental victory for the Conservative party in this ward.

"I know the councillors have represented their residents and community, in a positive and proactive way during their time they have been in the Conservative group."

He added: "Recent worldwide events have provoked many tensions locally, and all councillors have the responsibility to help those residents affected in a calm and considered way."