A councillor has been found guilty of breaching the code of conduct at a Standard’s Committee Meeting hearing after posting the words ’Gandu Salah’.

A complaint was made following revelations last September that Blackburn councillor Imtiaz Ali shared a news story on Facebook alleging that Labour MP Keith Vaz met with male prostitutes.

Next to the headline ‘Married Labour statesman Keith Vaz met prostitutes’ the phrase ‘Gandu Salah’ was posted.

At the time Cllr Ali said he had not personally created the post adding that it had been produced by ‘a friend who has access to my account’.

He disputed the meaning of the phrase, saying it could be translated as ‘male prostitute’. In September he said, “It was posted by someone who has access to my account.

“I regret very much that it was posted.”

Blackburn Conservative Association previously investigated and cleared him of the allegation of homophobic abuse.

Cllr Ali said: “I am disappointed by the Standards Committee decision but cannot comment further.”

Last Thursday a panel accepted the Investigating Officers finding recommendation that the member be removed from committees for the coming year.

It was also decided Cllr Ali was in breach of the council’s code of conduct for bringing the council into disrepute ‘for being abusive to any person’.

The Panel will report its findings to the Council for information on 27 July.

It decided that while Cllr Ali had used the expression in the Hindi rather than Punjabi sense.

‘Gandu’ is an abusive Hindi word that literally means ‘arse’. In Punjabi however the term is commonly used as a homophobic slang term.

Asif Mahmud who complained to the council said, “This clearly falls short of what I was seeking.

“The council went on the advice of a language expert who asserted the meaning of the word Gandu was not homophobic but offensive i.e ‘Arsehole’.”

“I find it is shocking that this term was not seen as homophobic.

“It is quite clear to any Punjabi speaking person that the word ‘Gandu’ is a derogatory term used against homosexuals.

“It is one of the most every day slang term used against the LGBT community.”

He added, “Pressure was put on me by the Pakistani community to drop the compliant.

“These included both Labour and Conservatives who didn’t want this issue raised publicly.”

Harry Catherall, Chief Executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “Councillors elected to represent the people of Blackburn and Darwen are required to promote and maintain high standards of conduct.

“Whilst its very rare, action is always taken when behaviour falls short of what is acceptable.

“The seriousness of the complaint against Councillor Imtiaz Ali resulted in it being heard by the Council’s most formal body, its Standards Committee. This involved a detailed investigation, during which all the critical questions were asked, with independent experts reporting to a panel of the Standard’s Committee with an independent chair.

“The next steps are for the publication of the panel’s findings as part of a report which is being prepared to be presented in public at the next meeting of the Council on July 27.

“It will include details of the breach of the code of conduct and sanctions proposed in response. The reasons for the decisions, based on the evidence heard, will be fully explained.

“Any form of discrimination is not tolerated.

“The Council is committed to ensuring that the people it serves are treated with respect, regardless of their diversity, and takes pride in doing everything in its power meet individual needs in an equal, fair and non-judgemental manner.”

A spokesman for Blackburn Conservative Association said: “We have investigated the complaint Cllr Ali has been cleared by the association and we standing by our decision.

Councillor Ali has endured much stress and discomfort over such complaints.

“However, Cllr Ali has great support from many of the residents from the local community.”

Cllr John Slater, leader of the Conservative group on the council, said: “When I receive the full Standards Committee findings, there will be due process in the group regarding these comments.

“I find it disappointing Cllr Ali used this phrase as I do whenever a councillor uses abusive language.”