Councillor faces demands to stand down amid safeguarding row
Pressure is mounting on a Bury councillor after allegations that she did not alert authorities to concerns about her son before he was convicted of terror offences. Ayesha Arif, who represents Bury East and sits on the council cabinet as the member for Housing Services, has been urged by the leader of the local Reform UK group to resign both her cabinet role and her council seat.
What Reform UK is alleging
The complaint centres on claims that, when told by her son that he was "hoping to travel abroad to commit an atrocity", the councillor did not report those remarks to the government’s PREVENT programme or other relevant agencies. Reform UK says the response — reportedly attempting to calm him rather than notifying authorities — would run contrary to safeguarding guidance if true.
- Subject: Cllr Ayesha Arif, Bury East and Cabinet Member for Housing Services
- Accused failure: Not reporting her son to PREVENT, according to Reform UK
- Individual involved: Muhammad Zakir Arif, first arrested in February 2024 and later jailed for terror offences
Reform UK’s group leader on the council, Cllr Jack Rydeheard, told local media that the councillor had "failed to confirm" whether she had reported her son to PREVENT and described the lack of clarity as unacceptable for someone in a position of trust.
"I am calling on Councillor Ayesha Arif to resign as Cabinet Member for Housing and as a Councillor for Bury East... If she did fail to report him, she has failed in her duty for public protection towards the residents of Bury."
Role and responsibilities under scrutiny
Rydeheard outlined why the issue strikes a chord locally: the cabinet member oversees the council’s housing stock, represents tens of thousands of residents and is a corporate parent for children in care. He said those responsibilities demand clear adherence to safeguarding rules and public protection duties.
During sentencing in the court case involving the son, the judge said it was "clear that you have no desire to rehabilitate", a remark reported in coverage of the trial. The son, identified in reports as Muhammad Zakir Arif, had been first arrested in February 2024.
Councillor’s response and next steps
When approached by the Bury Times for comment, Cllr Arif did not confirm whether she had reported her son to PREVENT or followed safeguarding guidance. Reform UK says that response "failed to address this properly, if at all" and reiterates its demand that she step down.
The council has not published any formal statement on disciplinary or investigatory measures connected to the allegations. It is not clear whether the council’s monitoring or safeguarding leads have been asked to review the matter, or whether any formal complaint has been lodged for internal investigation.
Local ramifications
The row raises questions about public confidence in those who hold decision-making roles in services affecting vulnerable residents. If a cabinet member were to resign or be removed, it could trigger a by-election in Bury East and a reshuffle of cabinet responsibilities — developments with direct consequences for housing policy and council operations.
| Item | Known detail |
|---|---|
| Arrest of Muhammad Zakir Arif | February 2024 |
| Councillor named | Ayesha Arif (Bury East, Housing Services) |
| Call for resignation | Made by Cllr Jack Rydeheard, leader of Reform UK in Bury |
Residents will expect clarity from both the councillor concerned and from Bury Council about whether safeguarding procedures were followed and whether any council-led review is needed. For a city where community safety and trust in public institutions are high priorities, the unfolding story will be watched closely.
At present the facts in the public domain are limited to press reporting of the court case and the public call from Reform UK. Any formal investigation or decision by the council will determine whether there are further political and administrative consequences, including the possibility of a by-election if the councillor leaves her post.
