AUDLEY councillor Yusuf Jan-Virmani has resumed his duties on Blackburn with Darwen council’s executive board after a six month break to sort out his family and business affairs.

The 58-year-old stood aside from his job in charge of neighbourhoods, housing and customer services just before Christmas last year to deal with personal problems.

Corporation Park representative Arshid Mahmood stepped up from his job as ‘lead member’ for the portfolio to take over on a temporary basis. Last night borough Labour leader Kate Hollern announced that following Thursday’s local elections Coun Jan-Virmani has been restored to his position.

Coun Jan-Virmani fled Idi Amin’s Uganda as a 16-year-old in 1972 and has been a councillor since 1994.

Coun Hollern said: “I am delighted to welcome Jan-Virmani back to his position on the executive board.”

Coun Jan-Virmani was unavailable for comment last night. The rest of the ruling Labour executive board remains unchanged.

His business skills have helped restore his family to the millionaire status it had in Africa. His family now own a chain of North-West garages including a service station on Accrington Road, and Jan’s Conference Centre, both Blackburn.