Naveeda Ikram trial: Ex-lord mayor promoted care service

Naveeda Ikram was the first Muslim woman to be a lord mayor in the UK

Council child care experts suspected a former lord mayor was personally involved in a company she was promoting, a jury was told.

Leeds Crown Court heard how Naveeda Ikram contacted two local authorities to champion Nexus Assist, which assists young people as they leave care.

She invited councils in Bradford and Leeds to use the service.

Formerly a councillor in Bradford from 2004, and Lord Mayor in 2011-2012, she denies misconduct in a public office.

On the second day of her trial it was revealed that Ms Ikram made calls, sent emails and took part in discussions to promote Nexus Assist.

During a confidential meeting with officials on Bradford Council she inquired how the system worked and how Nexus Assist might become a provider in the local area.

The jury heard that she had "absolutely not" mentioned a personal connection with the company, saying instead that it had contacted her.

'Some personal interest'

In fact Ms Ikram was a guarantor for rent payments at Nexus Assist's premises and knew proprietor Arshad Ali.

Giving evidence, Julie Jenkins, former assistant director with Children's Specialist Services, said: "I had the impression from the meeting that this was somebody that had contacted Councillor Ikram out of the blue."

She added that a colleague later emailed her with concerns that Mrs Ikram had "some personal interest" in the company.

The court also heard from Timothy Nelson, former commissioning manager for children's social services at Leeds City Council, who said Ms Ikram had contacted him on behalf of Nexus Assist.

"She described herself as the lead member for children's services in Bradford. I verified that she was not."

He added: "I was beginning to feel suspicious. I found that there was some inaccuracy in the information being provided."

The trial continues.