A councillor has been readmitted to his former political party after temporarily losing the whip following an "allegation".

Cllr Shahbaz Arif, who represents the Bury West ward, has been reinstated to the Conservatives after being suspended from the party in May.

Cllr Arif, who remained in place as an independent councillor, was suspended from the party following an investigation into an “allegation” made against him.

While the nature of the allegation has not been confirmed, Bury Conservatives leader Cllr Russell Bernstein confirmed that after a full investigation, Cllr Arif had been reinstated to the party.

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In a statement, he said: “I can confirm following an extensive investigation I reinstated the Conservative Group Whip to Cllr Shahbaz Arif on August 17.”

Cllr Arif also held a position with Bury North MP James Daly, from which he was suspended pending the outcome of "a full investigation".

James Daly's office has been contacted for comment following the latest development.  

The Bury West councillor has represented the ward since last year after previously standing for election in Redvales.

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Cllr Arif was reselected as the representative for Bury West following council elections in May, polling at 1,596 votes, beating Labour Party candidate Adnan Chaudhry by just under 500 votes.

Less than two weeks after the election Cllr Arif was listed as an independent on the council’s directory.

Cllr Arif has been approached about being reinstated.