A COUNCILLOR suspended from Labour while she awaits trial for misconduct says the party should have waited for the verdict before deciding to replace her.

Former Lord Mayor, Councillor Naveeda Ikram, who currently sits as an independent councillor for Little Horton, will go on trial in Leeds later this month.

Her four-year term ends next spring and as she remains suspended from the party, she has not been able to stand for reselection.

The selection is taking place tonight, amid a row over the shortlisting of former Respect activist Nasreen Khan, who apologised for comments she made about Jews five years ago.

Cllr Ikram said: “They’ve decided to carry out the selection just before my case would be concluded either way.”

A spokesman for the regional Labour Party declined to comment.