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Charges dropped against councillor

23/ 4/2008

A COUNCILLOR arrested on suspicion of money-laundering has learned the charges have been dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Fida Hussain, 46, has been the subject of a lengthy police investigation into his financial affairs.

He was first detained in March last year after officers raided his Newport Street home and took away documents.

Since then he has been re-bailed several times and protested his innocence throughout the inquiry.

Now the father-of-five has received a letter confirming there will be no further police action. He says that, following the recent death of his mother, the news is of little consolation.

"My mother died before she knew my good name and honour was intact," he said.

"Why did it take them over a year to realise I was innocent?"

Cllr Hussain, an electrical engineer, has served on Oldham Council since 2002 and was once chairman of the former Oldham West Area Committee.

He is standing for re-election for the Labour party in Werneth ward next Thursday.

"I was never worried about the investigations," he said.

"I knew I was innocent from the start. I trusted in justice. But it has been a strain, particularly for my wife and children.

"I am grateful for the many messages of support I have had from colleagues and my constituents."

Cllr Hussain is one of three candidates contesting the Werneth seat on May 1. The others are Mohammed Irfan (Conservative) and Azhar Mahmood (Lib Dem).