Police have launched an official investigation into a letter carrying the forged signature of a Bradford MP - used in a bid to get visas for five people to visit the district from Pakistan.
Chief Superintendent Phil Read, of Bradford North police, said a probe has begun after the letter - bearing the forged signature of Terry Rooney - was passed to the police by Bradford Council's Chief Executive Ian Stewart.
The British High Commission in Islamabad raised the alert because officers were suspicious about the signature. They wrote to Mr Rooney, who confirmed it was a forgery.
Chief Supt Read said they were also looking at allegations in a Sunday newspaper that Undercliffe ward councillor Intkhab Alam had offered to help arrange documents for illegal immigrants for a fee.
Coun Alam, 26, has been suspended from the Council's Tory group while claims are investigated.
Chief Supt Read said he could not comment on the form of the investigation into the forged letter which was on House of Commons note paper. But he added: "We will be looking at the evidence."
No comment was available from the High Commission or Home Office but it is understood the five men named in the bid for the visa have been refused entry in to the country.
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