A ROW has blown up after a Pendle councillor obtained discounted air tickets through an official fact-finding visit to Kashmir even though he was not part of the delegation.

Pendle Labour Group said Liberal Safdar Hussain bought cut-price tickets for a holiday for himself and two members of his family through a block booking made by the mission's organisers in order to visit relatives in Pakistan.

Council chief executive Stephen Barnes stressed the booking was made by Pendle's Kashmir Working Group which organised the trip and not the council. The working group was set up with help from the council but is separate from the authority and has its own officers and funds.

In a letter to Labour group leader Councillor Azhar Ali, he said: "It would be wrong therefore to say that Councillor Hussain obtained his tickets 'through the offices of the council.'

"Councillor Hussain paid more for his tickets than other members of the group, though it may be that he still benefited to a degree from the discount offered by the airline." Liberal group leader Councillor Alan Davies said today: "This is the first I've heard of the matter. I'm not prepared to comment further until I've looked into it."

Coun Davies confirmed Coun Hussain, who was elected to represent Walverden ward, Nelson, last May, travelled to Pakistan on the same flight as the delegation.

"I'd known for weeks that he was going to Pakistan. I didn't think anything of it," he added.

Labour group chairman, Councillor Tim Ormrod, said: "We are very disturbed to hear about this and we want a straight answer, straight away."

Pendle Mayor Councillor Colin Waite paid for his travel himself rather than using cash from his Mayoral allowance as originally planned.

Council solicitor and secretary Philip Mousdale confirmed Coun Hussain paid about £412 per ticket for Manchester to Islamabad return and received a discount through the block booking. The normal price quoted at Going Places travel agent in Nelson for the tickets is £454 plus tax, close to £500.

"I was told during the week before the trip that the three names were added to the list of the group presented to the airline," said Mr Mousdale.

"The tickets were made as part of the block-booking and there was a discount for the booking. The tickets were organised and bought by two members of the Kashmir Working Group."

Pendle Council paid for the tickets with one cheque to aid administration but Mr Mousdale said the council would be fully reimbursed. Coun Hussain reimbursed the council in full before the flight.

Coun Hussain was still in Pakistan and unable to be contacted.

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