An investigation into former Sheriff of Nottingham Zafran Khan is expected to be completed soon, Nottingham City Council has said.
Mr Khan, who was elected as a Labour councillor for Wollaton West in 2019, served as Sheriff of Nottingham during 2025/26. He remained in the civic role until May, when he was replaced by Cllr Audrey Dinnall.
Mr Khan has since been appointed chair of the council’s Appointments and Conditions of Service Committee, which determines local terms and conditions for council employees and oversees procedures relating to disciplinary action and dismissal.
Questions over Mr Khan’s conduct emerged in January, and some councillors have since criticised the length of time taken to conclude the investigation.
The council said on Friday, July 10, that the matter remained under review but was expected to be completed soon.
Cllr Kirsty L Jones, who left the Labour Group last year to establish the Nottingham People’s Alliance opposition group, said: “It’s frustrating that the complaint about alleged misuse of position is taking so long to investigate when the public already has such low trust in politicians.
“People rightly ask whose interests are being served and see politicians using the position for themselves rather than for our communities, whether it’s allegations around Nottingham’s former Sheriff or Nigel Farage’s large donations.
“These investigations cannot be allowed to drag on indefinitely if we want to rebuild the public’s trust.”
Shuguftah Quddoos, who served as Sheriff of Nottingham during 2023/24 and later left Labour to join the Green Party, said: “It was a privilege to hold this role, but with it comes the responsibility to be open and accountable.”
A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: “This matter is under review and is expected to be completed soon.
“All issues relating to the conduct of councillors or employees are always subject to thorough investigation by the council in order to understand the circumstances and decide whether any further action may be required.”
Mr Khan declined to comment.
The anonymously submitted FOI request asked for copies of correspondence sent or received by the Sheriff, or held by the council, between April 1, 2025, and the date of the request.
It specifically sought communications involving Jaguar Land Rover, Land Rover UK, car dealerships, manufacturers or other parties concerning the repair or servicing of the Sheriff’s private vehicle.
The request also sought copies of any complaints, reports, investigations or correspondence concerning allegations that the Sheriff, or another civic office holder, had obtained or attempted to obtain free or discounted goods, services or hospitality by using their office, title or regalia.
In its response, the council said it was “not appropriate to confirm nor deny whether we hold the requested information”.
It said confirming or denying whether the information was held “would itself prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs”.
A Labour Group spokesperson said: “This is an investigation being carried out by the council, with no political involvement and, whilst the matter is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for the Group to comment.”
By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter