A COUNCILLOR accused of benefit fraud and council tax benefit fraud has published a leaflet attacking Labour's council tax rise.

Coun Arif Waghat is acting as agent to fellow LibDem - Tariq Mahmood - who is contesting Wensley Fold ward in next month's local elections for Blackburn with Darwen Council.

It describes the Labour-run council's tax rise as highway robbery and details cuts in services.

But council leader Coun Kate Hollern said she thought it "outrageous" for him to choose to cover this issue, given his personal circumstances.

She is defending her seat in the ward where the leaflet has been distributed.

Conservative leader Coun Colin Rigby, said Coun Waghat should not have been an agent while he had personal problems.

But LibDem leader Coun David Foster said a personal situation had nothing to do with the political line the party was pushing during the election.

Coun Waghat, of Buncer Lane, Blackburn, who represents Shear Brow is being prosecuted by the Department for Work and Pensions.

It alleges he was in full time employment while knowingly allowing his wife to receive income support on his behalf, when he knew the claim was no longer correct.

In relation to council tax benefit he is accused of failing to report a change in his circumstances.

His case is due to resume before Hyndburn magistrates on Thursday.

Maximum penalty for the charges is imprisonment.

Coun Waghat said: "The same leaflet is being put out in every ward by different agents," before saying he did not have time to talk.

The Lancashire Telegraph was unable to contact him after that for further comment.

Coun Foster, said: "This is a political statement we are putting out across the borough. This is not something he personally is saying, it is a collective statement.

"He is the agent so legally his name appears on the leaflet.

"We want to fight the election on issues like this and not get into a slanging match."

Coun Rigby said: "He is ill-advised to seen commenting on anything until his personal problems are resolved.

"LibDems should not have used him as an agent while this was going on."

Coun Hollern said: "Facts speak for themselves. Our council tax rise has been lowest overall in Lancashire since 1998."