A Conservative councillor who has been working for a borough MP has been suspended from the party following an "allegation" - less than two weeks after he was re-elected.

Cllr Shahbaz Arif retained his Bury West ward after the council elections on Thursday, May 4, polling 1,596 votes.

He beat Labour Party candidate Adnan Chaudhry by just under 500 votes.

But Cllr Arif is now listed as an independent on the council’s directory.

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And the leader of the Bury Conservatives, Cllr Russell Bernstein, has confirmed Mr Arif's suspension from the party, after previously holding the group whip.

The whip has the role of ensuring members of the party vote according to the group's wishes.

Cllr Bernstein said: “I can confirm that Cllr Shahbaz Arif has had the Conservative whip suspended.

"I will not be making any further comment at this stage".

Cllr Arif has been serving a role in Bury North Conservative MP James Daly's office and he has been suspended from that position too.

Mr Daly said the decision has been made following an "allegation" and a "full investigation" is underway.

But more details of the incident have not been provided.

Mr Daly said: “Having been made aware of an allegation I immediately suspended Mr Arif from my employment.

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“I understand a full investigation is being undertaken, therefore it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”

When contacted on the phone about the situation, Cllr Arif declined to comment.

Cllr Arif has represented the his ward since last year after previously standing for election in Redvales.