A Tory mayor who expressed regret for participating in an LGBTQ+ Pride celebration because it “contradicts” his convictions has quit.
In Bradford Town Square on June 16, Mohammed Nazam, the mayor of Keighley in West Yorkshire, assisted locals in raising an LGBTQ+ Progress banner.
Since 2019, the town has carried out this every year.
But less than a day later, the Bradford City Council member apologised on a personal Facebook page for his participation in the ceremony.
He told members of Keighley Pakistanis that this ‘lapse of judgement’ caused ‘disappointment and hurt’.
‘I wholeheartedly apologise for my participation in the flag-raising ceremony, as it contradicts my personal religious beliefs, as many of you are aware,’ he wrote.
‘I want to emphasise that I have also personally repented for this error and reflected deeply on the consequences of my actions. Looking back, I realise that I should have respectfully declined the request at the time.’
‘It is my hope that the people who have placed their trust in me within our community can find it in their hearts to forgive me for this lapse in judgment,’ he added.
Nazam, who was elected mayor only last month, immediately faced a chorus of calls for his resignation from locals, politicians and LGBTQ+ campaigners.
One local, Jane Hudson, said: ‘Sorry Nazam you need to resign immediately.’
Another, Jooles Webster-Wright, added: ‘How can a mayor represent the whole town after making a statement like this?
‘Our community clearly doesn’t include everyone.’
Yesterday, the council announced that Nazam had resigned ‘with immediate effect’, adding that council officials will soon meet to elect a new mayor.
‘The Town Council has a long record of supporting and celebrating all sections of the amazingly diverse Keighley community,’ it said in a Facebook statement.
‘The Pride flag will continue to fly proudly in the Town Hall Square for the remainder of Pride Month as planned.’
Earlier that same day, the Bradford branch of the Conservative Party said Nazam has been suspended following a number of complaints.
In a statement following his resignation, Nazam refused to back down while stressing he meant ‘no harm’ to LGBTQ+ people.
Any ‘elected Muslim representative’ attending an LGBTQ+ event, he said, would need to apologise to the Muslim community.
‘I attended the flag-raising for LGBTQ community [sic].
‘This did not conform to my religious beliefs and hence I offered an apology to the Muslim community. All elected Muslim representatives would be in the same position, and if questioned would not be able to offer an alternative narrative.
‘By my apology, I did not mean any harm to any member of my constituency. My religion teaches respect and tolerance for all and the law of the land.
‘Here in the UK, we are proud to have our freedom of expression. People should have the freedom to express their beliefs and live their lives as they wish to.
‘This should apply to all communities and religious beliefs.’
Nazam added that he will now be on the council as an independent.
‘This has been a truly humbling experience from which I have learnt a great deal, I would also like to thank everyone for their love and continued support,’ he added.