Deputy Council Leader arrested for stalking and harrasment before resignation

Thursday, 4 January 2024 18:42

By David Murphy

Cllr Tamoor at the protest for Palestine on Sunday, 29th October. Credit: David Murphy

Bury Council confirmed this afternoon that Deputy Council Leader Tamoor Tariq has stepped down from cabinet today.

It has been reported that Cllr Tamoor, who is the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and works at Healthwatch Oldham, was arrested yesterday morning (Wednesday 3rd January) for stalking and harassment.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed today that Police officers attended a property on Gigg Lane on Wednesday, 3rd January, and arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of harassment and stalking.

He has since been released on police bail pending further investigations.

No official statement from Bury Labour has yet been released.

Radcliffe First has declined to comment because the Council has not informed them.

Cllr Russel Bernstein, Leader of Bury Conservatives, said in a statement:

I understand that Councillor Tamoor Tariq has been arrested and has been bailed. It would be inappropriate of me to comment regarding the allegations that have lead to his arrest, other than to say I am totally confident that Greater Manchester Police will as ever conduct such investigations with utmost professionalism.

While I note Councillor Tariq has stepped down from his position as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care I am flabbergasted that it seems the Labour Whip has not been withdrawn. I call on behalf of the people of Bury for the Labour Party to do the right thing whilst the police investigation is undertaken and withdraw the whip from Councillor Tariq.

I take no pleasure in pointing out that Councillor Tariq’s behaviour over recent months has fallen significantly below that which is expected in my opinion of the Deputy Leader of the Council and a senior community leader in the way he behaved inappropriately at a community meeting being hosted at Bury Police Headquarters and his unacceptable conduct at rally’s in the town regarding the crisis in the Middle East. I can only speculate that had Bury Labour shown appropriate Leadership and taken decisive and strong action this current situation might not have occurred.

Articles concerning Cllr Tamoor's recent behaviour as Deputy Leader of the Council can be found in our below articles. https://www.rochvalleyradio.com/news/local-news/cllr-tamoor-tariq-steps-down-as-deputy-leader-of-bury-council/ https://www.rochvalleyradio.com/news/local-news/unhinged-rampage-from-deputy-council-leader-at-community-policing-meeting/ https://www.rochvalleyradio.com/news/local-news/deputy-council-leaders-parking-transgression-outside-police-station/