Sohail Munawar quits as Slough council leader after porn claims

Sohail Munawar became leader of Slough Borough Council in June 2016

A council leader has resigned following claims he forwarded a pornographic video to colleagues.

Slough Borough Council chief Sohail Munawar stepped down on Tuesday night as he told how the episode had "left its mark" on him and his family.

Mr Munawar was suspended by the Labour Party earlier this month after complaints from fellow councillors.

James Swindlehurst, a Labour councillor, was voted in as the new leader of the local authority.

'Bombshell'

Mr Munawar, 48, denied any wrongdoing following his resignation as he accused some councillors of ousting him for "political gain".

He said it had been "like a bombshell" for his family and added that he "didn't want to wish for anyone to go through it".

Mr Munawar told the BBC: "The people that do these things, they should remember that it can tear apart someone's family, themselves; that person can lose the confidence for the rest of their lives.

"I'm just gobsmacked."

Message 'error'

Mr Munawar told The Sun previously that he had been tricked by a "scammer or virus" after the newspaper published details of the graphic footage.

He claimed he forwarded the Whatsapp message to his contacts in error, having been sent it by someone else.

The motion to remove Mr Munawar was brought forward because of complaints about his behaviour in office made "by the Deputy Leader and several female councillors", according to the meeting's agenda.

Mr Munawar, who was elected leader of the council in June 2016, said: "Politicians should be more sensible in taking this town forward, that's what we are here for and that's what we should be concentrating on."