The election campaign expenses of Bradford Council’s deputy leader are being reviewed by the Electoral Commission.

The watchdog is examining the expenditure accrued during Labour Councillor Imran Hussain’s retention of his Toller ward seat in May when fellow Labour Councillor Adrian Longthorn (Clayton and Fairweather) acted as his agent.

Shopkeeper Amjad Hussain, who was the defeated Conservative candidate in the Toller ward, triggered the review by complaining to the Commission following his defeat at the ballot boxes in May.

Coun Hussain, who is the Council’s executive member for community safety, told the Telegraph & Argus: “I am aware of a review by the Electoral Commission and I look forward to demonstrating to both the letter and the spirit of the law that I have fully complied with all the regulations.

“I will of course co-operate fully with the Commission and I look forward to an early conclusion of this matter. I’m absolutely confident this matter will be resolved in my favour.”

Coun Longthorn was unavailable for comment but Council leader Coun Ian Greenwood stood by his deputy.

He said: “I’m absolutely confident that he has complied with all the rules. Imran won the election by some 2,000 votes and it’s about time some people on the other side of the political spectrum realised that elections are won in ballot boxes and communities and not in the courts.”

A spokesman for the Electoral Commission confirmed that it had received a case for review regarding Coun Hussain.

The spokesman added that the expenses of another Bradford Labour councillor, Imdad Hussain (Heaton), were still under review after complaints that he breached strict limits on his campaign budget.

Cases under review can take up to 90 days to be concluded from when the complaint was first made.