A Labour rising star who claims to support women ’ s rights has two wives and asked an imam to sign off a supposed Islamic divorce , it was claimed last night . Councillor Waseem Zaffar has said he is committed to fighting gender inequality and declared his opposition to sharia law in Britain . But the politician and magistrate – once pictured with Labour leader Ed Miliband – married teacher Ayesha Imdad last year without having formally divorced his first wife . Lavish ceremony : Labour rising star Waseem Zaffar and his second wife Ayesha at their wedding last year . Instead , Zaffar – who received an MBE in 2012 for his charity work – sent Faraz Begum an Islamic divorce document in the post after walking out on her in 2010 . He obtained the document from an imam who operates from a terraced house calling itself Raza mosque in Aston , Birmingham . This means that under English law at least , Zaffar , 33 , is still married to Miss Begum , whom he wed in Pakistan in 2003 . Meanwhile , in April last year , Zaffar married his second wife – who is now seven months pregnant – in a lavish Islamic ceremony . Among the hundreds of guests was shadow minister Jack Dromey , the husband of deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman . MPs and campaigners last night called for Zaffar ’ s suspension from the Labour Party . Connected : Councillor Waseem Zaffar pictured rubbing shoulders with Opposition leader Ed Miliband . Honored : Zaffar is awarded his MBE by Prince Charles in recognition of his charity work . The councillor is not formally divorced from his first wife , despite marrying his second last year . Glad-handing : Zaffar with Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls . Tory MP Dominic Raab has called for the party to investigate the magistrate and councillor . Some followers of sharia law believe divorces can be obtained by men without the knowledge or consent of their wives . A man simply states ‘ talaq ’ – meaning ‘ I divorce thee ’ – three times and it is granted . He is not required to give any kind of financial settlement to his wife . However , this method is widely frowned upon and most imams require both parties to be present and commit to a three-month attempt at reconciliation before they grant a divorce . Miss Begum , 36 , a British national who is also Zaffar ’ s first cousin , received the divorce without warning , a friend said . If British citizens marry abroad , it is automatically recognised in English law . For this reason , for the marriage to end , the couple must obtain a divorce recognised by English courts . Miss Begum is currently seeking such a divorce , understood to be in the process of going through the courts . The master ’ s student said she was unable to comment due to the ongoing legal proceedings . In 2012 , Zaffar , councillor for the Lozells and East Handsworth ward in Birmingham , declared on his website : ‘ I have never and will never support sharia law in this country. ’ Power and influence : Zaffar with Labour grandee Peter Mandelson . MPs and campaigners last night called for his suspension from the party . At the seat of power : Zaffar outside 10 Downing Street ( left ) and his second wife Ayesha in her wedding dress . Under English law , her husband is not in fact divorced from his first wife . Labour heavyweight David Blunkett ( right ) with Zaffar . The councillor has posted numerous pictures of himself with high-profile politicians online . He has also thrown his weight behind several women ’ s rights campaigns . He spoke at an Asian women ’ s engagement event in 2013 , saying : ‘ I came to politics to ensure a fair and equal society. ’ The well-connected councillor often posts pictures of himself with celebrities and high-profile politicians online . In January , he tweeted a photo taken outside No 10 Downing Street , saying : ‘ Brilliant reception hosted by Sam Cameron discussing issues affecting disaffected children across UK. ’ Family lawyer and Islamic marriage specialist Aina Khan said Zaffar ’ s actions are ‘ unforgivable if true ’ . ‘ It ’ s hypocrisy to accept English law and then use sharia law when it suits you better , ’ she said . She explained that Zaffar ’ s Islamic marriage to his second wife may not be recognised in the UK , putting her at risk of ‘ losing everything ’ . The imam , Moulana Bostan Quadri , last night confirmed he gave Zaffar a sharia divorce . He said in broken English : ‘ Throughout the Muslim world , it is unanimously that way ... if some Muslim man want to give the divorce to his wife , he can. ’ He denied being paid , but divorces of this kind usually cost around £50 to £200 . After repeated attempts to contact Zaffar , he declined to comment . Tory MP Dominic Raab called for Labour to investigate the councillor , adding : ‘ It beggars belief that they are turning a blind eye . ’
ZaffarWaseem Zaffar , 33 , says he is committed to fighting gender inequality . Councillor married teacher Ayesha Imdad last year in lavish ceremony . But had not formally divorced Faraz Begum after walking out on her in 2010 . He only sent her an Islamic divorce document to end seven-year marriage . This means that under English law Waseem Zaffar is still married to his first wife .