Keighley mayor quits after backlash at Pride event apology

The mayor of Keighley has resigned after he was criticised for issuing an apology over his own attendance at a Pride event.

Mohammed Nazam, the Conservative mayor of Keighley, Yorkshire, went to the flag-raising ceremony on Friday in Keighley’s Town Hall Square. However, in a subsequent Facebook post, he said he should have "respectfully declined" the invitation because it "contradicts my personal religious beliefs".

Following a backlash over his comments, Nazam announced on Monday he had quit, saying: "I did not mean any harm to any member of my constituency. My religion teaches respect and tolerance for all and the law of the land.

"Here in the UK we are proud to have our freedom of expression. People should have the freedom to express their beliefs and live their lives as they wish to. This should apply to all communities and religious beliefs.

"This has been a truly humbling experience from which I have learnt a great deal, I would also like to thank everyone for their love and continued support."

Nazam said he had also been suspended from the Conservative Party.

While it appears that Nazam's participation in the event had angered some members of the community, his U-turn on participating sparked a furore on social media and in Keighley.

In his initial apology, Nazam had said he "personally repented for this error and reflected deeply on the consequences of my actions".

He criticised his own "lapse in judgment" and said he was "truly sorry for any distress or confusion I have contributed to".

He added: "I actively support and promote tolerance for individuals of all faiths, creeds and colours, as my faith and the law of the land requires me to do."

The local Conservative MP, Robbie Moore, who participated in the ceremony alongside Nazam, wrote on Facebook: "On Friday, I was exceptionally proud to join the Keighley Pride team for the raising of the Pride flag in Keighley’s Town Hall Square.

"Everyone should be free to love who they choose and be who they are. Love is Love.

"I’ve seen comments made by Keighley’s Town Mayor, Cllr Mohammed Nazam, stating that he feels the need to apologise for his part in the flag raising ceremony and the need for him to 'personally repent for ‘his’ error' because of religious beliefs.

"I disagree and reject the Mayor’s comments. I am proud we live in a country where people can be who they want to be and are free to choose who they love.

"The role of the Town Mayor is to represent EVERYONE within the community – and therefore it was deeply disheartening to read the Mayor’s statement.

"The Mayor needs to apologise and consider his position. An employment disciplinary process will also now follow."

Nazam's decision to backtrack on participation in an event during Pride month come amid an increasingly fractious social environment for members of the LGBT+ community and follows similar incidents in the US, where employers such as the Navy and Target have removed Pride logos after complaints – also prompting a furious backlash.