Breaking news from Cardiff! Councillor Imran Latif from the Penylan ward has been suspended until September after participating in a protest back in June 2024. The protest unfolded at Cardiff Bay Police Station, leading to 16 arrests, with Cllr Latif among those facing charges. He was accused of causing a disturbance by locking himself to another person during a pro-Palestine demonstration.
While he pleaded guilty to the disturbance charge, a second accusation of using threatening language was dropped due to lack of evidence. The council’s standards and ethics panel found Cllr Latif’s actions breached a conduct code, prompting the suspension.
Cllr Rodney Berman, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, shared that although Cllr Latif deeply regrets his decision not to walk away from the escalating protest, he has expressed apologies and fully co-operated with inquiries. He even self-referred to the Ombudsman post-court case.
Despite the suspension, a conditional discharge by the court means this isn’t seen as punishment, which the councillor has accepted without appeal. All eyes will be on his return and resumption of duties for his constituents in September. Stay tuned for more updates!