Tariq Khan was filmed shaking hands at an event a week after his council warned about a rise in cases.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A Coventry councillor who was filmed breaking social distancing rules at an event broken up by the police has apologised for his actions and said it was an "error of judgment".

EarlierTariq Khan also resigned from his cabinet post and said he believed he was attending an “officially organised” event “with the appropriate risk assessments” when he joined more than 200 other people at Edgwick Park.

Image source, LDRS

The Labour councillor for Foleshill said: “I have been considering my position for some time, but this has been brought to a head by the circulation of the video that shows me shaking hands with people at an outdoor event on August 23."

And he added: "I did not mean to undermine the work of the council, as I know about the importance of following public health guidance in reducing the spread of Covid-19, and as a public figure I appreciate that I should lead by example."

Simon Gilbert
Political Reporter, BBC Coventry & Warwickshire

A senior Coventry councillor has resigned from his position after being filmed breaching social distancing rules.

This week, a video emerged of Labour's Tariq Khan shaking hands, hugging people, receiving a garland and saluting to a camera in Edgwick Park, Foleshill, in August.

The Conservative Party had called for a vote of no confidence and now an internal message from council leader George Duggins confirmed the news that Mr Khan has now resigned.

It read that Mr Khan has requested 24 hours to "frame" his resignation and it confirmed that he had now stepped down from his post.

Mr Khan will remain in the Labour Party and as a councillor for Foleshill.

A vote of no confidence is going to be held about a Coventry city councillor who was filmed breaking social distancing rules at a large gathering at the weekend.

Tariq Khan, the Labour councillor for Foleshill, was filmed shaking hands and hugging people at Edgwick Park and the Conservative group on the council said he must resign from his post as cabinet member for communities and housing.

Image source, PA Media

The council said it was investigating the incident, which it said was a "clear breach of public health guidance".

Mr Khan and the Coventry Labour group haven't commented, but the council leader George Duggins said: “I totally support the council’s statement.”

Wasps' teenage flanker Alfie Barbeary says his challenge is to consistently perform at the highest level after scoring a hat-trick against Leicester.

Police have discovered drugs with an estimated street value of £400,000 at properties linked to a Coventry landlord.

Vacuum-packed cannabis was found under floorboards at one address belonging to a 44-year-old "rogue landlord" who has been arrested on suspicion of money laundering and drug supply.

Image source, West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police said officers had searched seven properties belonging to the man which are suspected to be linked to organised crime and the exploitation of immigrant workers.

The force also found about £40,000 in cash - some of which had been hidden under a bed at one property - and about 400 cannabis plants.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Image source, West Midlands Police

Four men, aged between 23 and 36, were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences but have since been released under investigation.

Coventry Live

Here are three stories from the Coventry Telegraph website:

• Another Coventry secondary school reports Covid case, external
• Claims people 'turned away' from coronavirus test centre, external
• Traveller funeral leads to traffic warning, external

A CCTV appeal has helped West Midlands Police identify 10 people thought to be involved in trouble at a Coventry City promotion party.

The force said the alleged violence broke out when two men carrying a knife approached a group of fans and it resulted in bottles and other missiles being thrown at police officers.

Officers are still trying to identify these five people as part of the investigation:

Image source, West Midlands Police

Image source, West Midlands Police

Coventry City winger Jodi Jones is to undergo surgery after suffering a third anterior cruciate knee ligament injury in as many years.

Teenager Alfie Barbeary scores a hat-trick as Wasps thrash Leicester 54-7 to keep their Premiership play-off bid on track.

A petition opposing development of Coventry’s former green belt and a review of the Local Plan have been submitted to the city council.

The local authority's guidelines includes the principle of about 3,000 homes in Keresley and nearly 3,500 at Eastern Green. Almost 7,000 people are currently opposing this.

Image source, Google

The council believes it must accommodate more than 42,000 new homes by 2031, but the campaigners say population figures from the Office for National Statistics are "flawed".

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A project to improve the ring road around Coventry will start in November, after getting £5m from the Department for Transport.

The work on the carriageway will be carried out on the Swanswell Viaduct section, between junctions three and four and should be complete before Coventry becomes the UK City of Culture next year.

Image source, Google

The work will involve strengthening the bridges and resurfacing the roads and the city council is contributing £250,000 of its own money.

Premises in Aberdeen, Glasgow, England and Romania were raided as part of the Police Scotland-led operation.

Coventry Live

Here are three of the stories from the Coventry Live website today:

• Three arrested at Warwickshire service station, external
• Almost half of recent Covid cases in Coventry from one postcode, external
• Council to temporarily take charge of new car park, external

Tariq Khan was filmed shaking hands and hugging people at a gathering broken up by police.

People in Rugby have been asked to "renew their vigilance" after a rise in coronavirus cases in the town.

The leader of the borough council Seb Lowe said the latest cases had affected "a small number of pubs and restaurants and two of our schools" and efforts were being made to test anyone who may have been affected.

Image source, Rugby Borough Council

Mr Lowe also thanked residents for doing "what's right for Rugby" up until now and said "because of that, Rugby has seen relatively few cases compared to elsewhere in the county and elsewhere in England".

The two-way route serving about 4,500 homes and six schools is expected to be finished next year.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Rugby's town centre is going to have £96,000 spent on coronavirus safety measures.

The money has come from the European Regional Development Fund.

Image source, Google

The funding will pay for a website to allow people to book slots at independent stores, hand sanitiser stations, signs and other communications.

Police have released these pictures, showing 15 men they want to talk to in relation to an unofficial Coventry City promotion party.

The West Midlands force said trouble broke out on the evening of 9 June when several hundred people turned out on Broadgate.

Image source, West Midlands Police

It said it has already identified an additional 11 people involved in the trouble and those men have either been arrested or had voluntarily come into a police station.

Two pubs and a desserts business in Rugby announce measures.