Home » Cardiff councillor suspended after being charged with protest-related offences

Cardiff councillor suspended after being charged with protest-related offences

Cllr Imran Latif has been suspended from the Welsh Liberal Democrats group at Cardiff Council pending the conclusion of proceedings against him (Pic: Alex Seabrook)

A CARDIFF city councillor has been suspended from his political group after being charged with offences relating to a pro-Palestine protest.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats confirmed that Cardiff Council ward member for Penylan, Cllr Imran Latif, had been suspended from their political group at the local authority pending the conclusion of proceedings against him.

Cllr Latif was charged with two offences following a protest that took place in Cardiff on Monday, June 3, 2024.

These include locking to a person/object/ground to cause significant disturbance and using threatening/abusive words/behaviour which is likely to cause disturbance, alarm or distress.

Cllr Latif has denied the charges made against him.

A statement from his legal representatives, M&M Solicitors reads: “At this stage, In relation to the allegations before the court, these are vehemently denied and as the matter is set down for a trial, we do not wish to make any comment on the same so as not to compromise our client’s defence to the allegations.

“Our client does not wish to make any statement in relation to the actions of the Cardiff Liberal Democrat Group, in suspending him in line with what is said to be “party policy” and will address this at the conclusion of proceedings as to whether the same was appropriate or not.

“Our client remains a serving Councillor working hard for his constituents in the Penylan ward in the interim.”

South Wales Police said in June, 2024, that it arrested 16 people after a spontaneous protest occurred in the front desk area of Cardiff Bay Police Station at 9.30pm on June 3, 2024.

This happened just hours after another protest involving 50 to 60 protesters took place in Cardiff city centre.

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At the time, it was reported that people were protesting against the war in Gaza.

A Welsh Liberal Democrats spokesperson said: “Once the Welsh Liberal Democrats became aware of the charges, Imran was automatically suspended from the Cardiff Council Liberal Democrat group until proceedings against him have concluded.”

Cllr Latif is due to appear at Cardiff Magistrate’s Court for trial on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

As the hearing is yet to take place, Cllr Latif can continue to attend council meetings and deal with council casework.

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