TODAY’S unveiling represents a dramatic fall from grace for Cllr Ismail Ibrahim — once thought of as a rising star of the Bolton Labour group.

He was first elected to represent Rumworth in 2004 and has remained in his seat ever since, being comfortably re-elected in 2014 with a majority of nearly 2,400 votes.

Council leader Cliff Morris has confirmed that Cllr Ibrahim will be stripped of his current responsibility of chairman of the Corporate and External Scrutiny Committee — and with it a £5,000 Special Responsibility Allowance.

But this is not this most influential position he has held in his 12 years in office.

Not long after his election, in 2006, he was promoted to the role of executive member for culture and community services.

In 2007 he was then made executive member for adult services before moving on to the office of culture, young people and sport between 2008 and 2009.

Cllr Ibrahim’s rise continued in 2009 when he took on the key position of executive member for environmental services.

His position was then boosted further in 2010 when he was announced as the new executive member for development and regeneration — one of the council’s top posts, which he held until 2012.

Council records from 2011/12 show that in this role — as well as his basic council allowance of £11,082 — Cllr Ibrahim was given a Special Responsibility Allowance of £11,659.44.

According to the council website, Cllr Ibrahim lives at an address in Daubhill which falls under Band A of the council tax scale.

Council tax on such a property would be £1,024.88 per year.

Cllr Ismail Ibrahim's statement in full

HAVING spoken to my family, I am writing to end the ongoing press speculation and to confirm that it was I who was late in paying my council tax.
I want to stress that this was late payment of my council tax, not non-payment, and my account is now paid in full.
At the time I was undergoing some personal issues and was under considerable stress.
I therefore appointed a family member to administer and oversee my finances.
Due to my family circumstances, regrettably, there was a delay in paying my council tax on time.
However, the payment obligation was mine and I accept full responsibility for the late payment.
I took advice on the FOI request and, taking into account my personal and family circumstances, I decided that this was a personal matter and there was no obligation on me to reveal my identity or to air my personal issues in the public domain.
This was upheld by the information commissioner and the First Tier Tribunal.
I have decided to accept the decision of the UTT.
It is wholly regrettable that the delay in paying council tax has resulted in aspersions being cast on my fellow councillors and I would like to take this opportunity to unreservedly apologise to each and every one of them.
I would also like to sincerely apologise to the people of Rumworth and the residents of Bolton for not disclosing my name earlier."