FOUR independent Bradford councillors have rejoined the Respect Party, Bradford West MP George Galloway announced tonight.

Faisal Khan (Bradford Moor), Alyas Karmani (Little Horton), Ishtiaq Ahmed (Manningham), and Ruqayyah Collector (City) were originally elected to the Council for Respect in the 2012 but quit en-masse in 2013.

The move brings the number of the party's councillors in Bradford to five with Asama Javed (Manningham) defecting from Labour last week.

"I am delighted to welcome our four comrades back and am looking forward to working with them in the future," said Mr Galloway.

"New Labour is imploding in Bradford. I am confident that this won't be the last such announcement."