Cardiff councillor Imran Latif has been suspended from the city council for two months after a public hearing found he breached the members code of conduct following his participation in a protest at Cardiff Bay Police Station. The Liberal Democrat representative for the Penylan ward was arrested and charged with two offences after the pro-Palestine demonstration on June 3, 2024.
At a Cardiff Magistrates Court hearing on May 6, 2025, Latif pleaded guilty to locking himself to a person to cause significant disturbance. A second charge of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause a disturbance was dismissed after no evidence was offered. He received an 18-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £776.
Breach of code of conduct
Cardiff Council's standards and ethics panel determined that Latif had breached a section of the members code requiring him "not to conduct himself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing his office or authority into disrepute." His actions were part of a spontaneous protest in the front desk area of Cardiff Bay Police Station that led to 16 arrests.
Council documents state that during the suspension period, Latif may not exercise any rights, powers, or duties of a Cardiff councillor. His entitlement to a member's allowance and use of council resources, including ICT systems and equipment, is suspended. However, he remains bound by the Members' Code of Conduct and may raise matters with the council as a member of the public.
Liberal Democrat group response
Cllr Rodney Berman, leader of the council’s Liberal Democrat group, said: "This relates to Councillor Latif’s conviction last year for the offence of locking-on after he locked himself to another person during a protest in 2024 that was related to the conflict in Gaza, a topic Imran cares passionately about. He deeply regrets that he did not walk away when the protest he was attending escalated, and he has subsequently expressed his profound apology for what happened on more than one occasion. He has co-operated fully with all enquiries, and it was Imran, himself, who self-referred to the Ombudsman after the court case had concluded."
Berman added: "It’s also worth noting he was given a conditional discharge by the court which does not constitute a punishment, and a second charge against him was dropped when his case went to court due to lack of evidence. We fully accept the findings of the Ombudsman that this represents a breach of the code of conduct for councillors which requires councillors to uphold the law. We note that Imran has accepted the sanction and not sought to appeal. We look forward to him returning as a councillor, and resuming his duties serving his constituents, once his suspension has been concluded."
Suspension period
Latif’s suspension began on July 9, 2026, and remains in effect until midnight on September 8, 2026. He self-referred to the Ombudsman after the court case concluded, according to Berman.
