THE jury was discharged by the judge on Thursday in the trial of a former Lord Mayor of Bradford charged with misconduct in a public office.

Naveeda Ikram (pictured), 44, was on trial at Leeds Crown Court but proceedings came to a halt yesterday.

Ikram, who became the UK’s first female Muslim Lord Mayor in 2011, is accused of seeking care contracts for a company known as Nexus Assist and failing to declare an interest in the firm while an elected member of Bradford Council.

She denies the single charge, alleged to have taken place between November 1, 2014, and August 31, 2015.

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC told the jury: “Having heard further legal arguments I am going to have to discharge you from giving a verdict in this case.

“For legal reasons, I cannot give you a reason why I am doing so, but I apologise. I am sorry it has turned out this way.”

Ikram, of Rooley Crescent, Odsal, Bradford, was released from the court on bail by the judge.