Background
Khan was born in Pakistan and came to the United Kingdom aged 11.
Member of the European Parliament politician
Khan was born in Pakistan and came to the United Kingdom aged 11.
After leaving school without qualifications, he had a number of jobs – including as a Greater Manchester Police Constable – before returning to education and qualifying as a solicitor: he is now a partner in the solicitors firm of Mellor & Jackson, Oldham. Khan was first elected a Councillor in 2000 being re-elected in 2004, 2007 and 2011, representing Cheetham Ward and also served as Executive Member for Children"s Services. Khan was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his race relations work and in 2011 was suggested as a candidate for Oldham East and Saddleworth.
In 2012, he stood as the Labour candidate at the Bradford West by-election losing out to Imran Hussain, Deputy Leader of Bradford Council and a barrister (who was beaten at the election by George Galloway).
Afzal Khan was selected in February 2013 on the Labour Party"s list for North West England at the European Parliamentary election of 2014 and, on 22 May 2014, he was returned as Member of the European Parliament to the European Parliament to represent North West England.
From 2000 to 2004 Khan was a member of the Department of Trade and Industry"s Ethnic Minority Business Forum, advising the then Secretary of State, Patricia Hewitt. Following the 2005 London bombings he was a member of a Home Office working group aimed at preventing extremism.
