Ex-councillor’s taxi licence suspended

The ex-deputy leader of Rotherham Borough Council has been working as a cabbie since losing his seat on the council last year.

And a council spokeswoman confirmed this week that Mr Akhtar’s licence had been “suspended with immediate effect but not revoked.”

She added: “The normal process for such matters is now being followed.

“Mr Akhtar will have the right to appeal this decision at the Magistrates Court.”

The council would not given a reason for the suspension.

Mr Akhtar was among the council figures highlighted in Louise Casey’s recent report on child sexual exploitation, with several councillors and officers “spoke about him with a level of fear”.

Ms Casey added: “Even though he was no longer on the council, he continues to have a presence and some felt he would be returning

“Some claimed that Jahangir Akhtar's influence extended to the police.”

When the Advertiser contacted Mr Akhtar’s home yesterday, the woman who answered said he was asleep, and refused to ask him to call us back, before hanging up.