THE Mayor of Camden has been charged with three counts of fraud relating to an investigation by the Department for Work and Pensions over benefit payments. Cllr Omar Faruque Ansari, who was relieved of his mayoral duties by the council in February followi

THE Mayor of Camden has been charged with three counts of fraud relating to an investigation by the Department for Work and Pensions over benefit payments.

Cllr Omar Faruque Ansari, who was relieved of his mayoral duties by the council in February following his arrest, returned to the Albany Street Police Station to answer bail on Friday.

He has subsequently been charged by the DWP with two counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change in his care and mobility needs relating to 2006 and a third charge of deception covering the period June 2006 to January 2010.

Cllr Ansari, who represents Kentish Town, was suspended by the Liberal Democrat party after his arrest but has publicly declared his innocence. In the days after his arrest the 55-year-old was taken to hospital after suffering a mild heart attack.

Deputy Mayor Cllr Lulu Mitchell has been covering his duties. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on April 16.