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Muslim voters in Birmingham were told they would go to hell if they didn’t vote Labour, a court has heard.

The claim came in an Election Court challenge to Labour councillor for Washwood Heath, Ansar Ali Khan, whose legal team said he had done nothing wrong.

Councillor Khan was re-elected on May 7 with a thumping 7,802 majority – the largest in Birmingham.

The case surrounded a Facebook photo and message published on April 15 in which it suggests all followers of Barelvi Sufi tradition of Islam should vote Labour.

It showed leader of the Victoria Road Mosque in Aston Pir Siddiqui with eight Labour politicians, including Ansar Ali Khan, and the statement: “All Pir, Sahiban and Darbars in Birmingham have ordered Mureeds to vote Labour in elections.”

It suggests religious leaders have urged followers to vote Labour.

According to defeated Lib Dem candidate, Shamsur Rehman , who issued the court challenge, the meaning was clear.

Commissioner Timothy Straker QC asked if it meant that a person did not vote Labour as instructed “would after they died, go to hell”.

“Yes, that’s the suggestion,” Mr Rehman answered.

But barrister Gavin Millar, acting for Coun Khan, challenged the Facebook post saying it was not clear what time it was seen, saved and printed out.

There was considerable dispute over who published the photo and who added the controversial comment as well as some confusion over the way Facebook works.

The photo, which also featured Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood, was taken in the run up to the Milad Muslim festival in Aston Park on April 19 at which politicians of all parties spoke.

Mr Millar described Mr Rehman as a hypocrite as he too had gone with fellow Lib Dem candidates for a similar photo opportunity a day later.

Mr Millar said: “Lib Dems were meeting with the Pir, being on a photo with him, posting the photo on Facebook and appearing at the Milad with him. Exactly the same thing you are accusing my client of.

“It’s hypocritical to criticise my client for doing exactly what you have done.”

Mr Rehan said he had attempted to raise the Labour endorsement during his meeting with Pir Siddiqui. He said that Coun Khan had developed a ‘strong relationship’ with the Pir.

“Get the Mosque on your side and you are well on the way to getting voted in in predominantly Asian areas. The Mosque is the kingmaker.”

The case continues.