KEIGHLEY'S town mayor has resigned from his role following the furore over comments made in the wake of a Pride flag-raising ceremony.

There was widespread public condemnation of Councillor Mohammed Nazam after he apologised on social media for taking part in the ceremony, held last Friday in Town Hall Square.

Cllr Nazam posted on a Facebook page called Keighley Pakistanis that he "wholeheartedly" apologised for participating in the event, and described his decision as a "lapse in judgment".

Keighley Town Council confirmed this afternoon that he had stepped down as mayor.

In a statement, it said: "Cllr Mohammed Nazam has resigned as town mayor with immediate effect.

"The town council will meet in due to course to elect a new mayor for the remainder of the municipal year.

"Keighley Town Council has a long record of supporting and celebrating all sections of the amazingly diverse Keighley community.

"The Pride flag will continue to fly proudly in Town Hall Square for the remainder of Pride Month as planned.

"As a council we recognise the hard work that organisations, such as Keighley Pride, undertake to celebrate Pride annually and raise awareness of the challenges faced by many in the LGBTQ community.

"The council will continue to do whatever it can to support similar groups and the wider LGBTQ community."

Cllr Nazam also serves on Bradford Council, representing Keighley Central ward, and he has had his membership of the Conservative group suspended.

Group leader, Councillor Rebecca Poulsen, says: "Further to complaints regarding his recent social media activities, Councillor Mohammed Nazam has had his membership of the Conservative group suspended pending investigations. As these investigations are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."