Ex-Sheriff of Nottingham faces conduct investigation

A former Sheriff of Nottingham will face a hearing next month after an investigation into his conduct in office.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said allegations against councillor Zafran Khan's had led to an investigation being opened earlier this year.

According to Nottingham City Council's records, a "misuse of position" complaint was first received on 18 September last year, and an email was sent to councillors stating a standards hearing will be held on 15 October, with training for members taking place beforehand on 2 October.

It is understood Khan denies any wrongdoing, but the LDRS said he had declined to comment.

Khan, who was elected as a Labour councillor for Wollaton West in 2019, held the civic role until May this year, when he was replaced by Audrey Dinnall.

The Sheriff promotes the city as a destination, and typically involves attending events welcoming visitors.

Khan is the brother of the Labour-run council's leader, Neghat Khan. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on her part, nor is she connected to the investigation.

He was this year appointed as chairman of the Appointments and Conditions of Service Committee, which determines local terms and conditions of council employees and procedures for disciplinary action and dismissal.

An anonymous freedom of information request submitted to the council in October 2025 asked for correspondence relating to the repair or servicing of the Sheriff's personal vehicle, and any "complaints or reports of the use of civic office for personal benefit".

It also asked for "copies of any complaints, reports, investigations, or internal/external correspondence received or created by Nottingham City Council from 1 April 2025 to date relating to the Sheriff of Nottingham (or any civic office holder) allegedly obtaining or seeking free or discounted goods, services, or hospitality by using their civic office, regalia, or title".

In response, the council said it determined it could "neither confirm nor deny whether we hold the requested information" as confirming or denying that the information is held "would itself prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs".

The council was approached for comment regarding a conclusion to the investigation, and the hearing in October, but declined to comment.

A spokesperson previously said: "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."

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