A MAYOR today quit his post after being given a £200 fine for flouting coronavirus restrictions.

Cllr Iftakhar Hussain has resigned as Blackburn with Darwen Borough's 'First Citizen' and suspended himself from the council's ruling Labour group.

His decision came as town hall conduct bosses launched an investigation after the incident on Saturday.

Cllr Hussain apologised for an ‘error of judgement’ in attending an event, described as ‘a wedding’ with up to 30 people present.

The Bastwell and Daisyfield councillor was one of nine people fined by police.

He said: "Given recent events I have taken the decision to step down from my position as the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen with immediate effect.

"I do not want to make any excuses. I regret the momentary lapse of judgement.

"I should have known better and I accept full responsibility for my actions.

"Being appointed as the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen during these unprecedented times has been challenging but an honour. It was a proud moment for me and my family.

"Today I am giving this up to protect the reputation of the borough.

"I hope my actions will serve as a reminder to the people of Blackburn with Darwen of the importance of following the Covid-19 guidelines as it remains a real and serious threat."

Lancashire Telegraph: Councillor Iftakhar Hussain

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Cllr Mohammed Khan said: "I think Cllr Hussain has made the right decision. He admitted he had made a mistake. It is very sad."

Cllr Hussain said he had been called to a relative’s house on the corner of Gibraltar Street and Dukes Brow on Saturday ‘to open the door to the house so some food could be delivered’.

The council’s director of human resources and governance David Fairclough said: “This matter is being looked into. Any complaints alleging a failure to comply with the Members’ Code of Conduct will be looked at very seriously.”

Cllr John Slater, leader of the council's Conservative group, said: "Under the circumstances Cllr Hussain has made the right decision."

READ: Mayor apologises after being fined £200 for breaching Covid rules

Cllr Hussain said: “I was on a remote meeting all evening and was unaware of any function taking place. When this had finished my uncle rang me at just after 8.30pm and asked for some food to be delivered to his house on Gibraltar Street.

“I agreed to facilitate this by going to the house and letting the food outlet deliver the food. Once the food was delivered to the house I remained there while my uncle returned.

“This was an error of judgement, and I know in hindsight I should have left the house under the current strict guidelines in place once the food had been delivered. A few relatives turned up to the address unbeknown to me once the food had arrived.”

A police spokesman said officers responded to reports of up to 30 people attending a ‘wedding’ adding: “There they found nine people inside. Each individual was issued with a £200 fixed penalty notice and was instructed to leave, which they did.”