UNDER-FIRE former deputy leader of Sandwell Council Oldbury councillor Mahboob Hussain won in the High Court yesterday in his bid delay his appearance before the standards committee.

Sandwell Council's standards committee were planning a two day hearing a public meeting in the council chambers on March 9 and 10.

Cllr Hussain had been expected to appear before the committee in August 2016 and councillors were planning to grill him about allegations he abused his position on the council to secure the sale of land to a close associate for just £35,000 when he knew it had been valued at £130,000, and that he wrongly secured the cancellation of parking tickets and reduction of parking fines issued to members of his family.

However, at the High Court in London yesterday (Thursday) Mr Justice Andrew Baker ruled in Cllr Hussain's favour for a stay of proceedings in the council’s standards process while he appeals against the council’s decision to publish the Gowling WLG, formerly Wragge & Co, and James Goudie QC reports.

The reports, which included details of wrong-doing at the council over a period of years, were published in May last year.

Due to Cllr Mahboob's victory in court all standards proceedings will by law have to be put on hold.

The council is opposed Councillor Hussain’s application for a stay in proceedings.

Jan Britton, chief executive, said: “We are disappointed that this will delay the council’s standards process and we will be examining the written ruling as soon as it is available with a view to making an appeal.”

Cllr Hussain was unavailable for comment.