Labour councillor Zafran Khan, who served as the ceremonial Sheriff of Nottingham from 2025 until May 2026, has been found to have misused his position to obtain discounted vehicle repairs and complimentary event tickets, according to a recent report by Nottingham City Council’s standards committee.

The report, published as part of an investigation initiated last September, concluded that Mr. Khan leveraged his council email address and his official title to negotiate a reduction of £22,500 on repairs for his Land Rover. These repairs were carried out by a local dealership, and the report states there was no valid justification for the use of his official email or the “Sheriff of Nottingham” signature in his correspondence. It suggests the use was “most likely... used deliberately to attempt to secure an advantage.”

Additionally, Mr. Khan reportedly requested free tickets for multiple events, including a concert by Canadian singer Tate McRae at the Motorpoint Arena, the stage production of the children’s television series Paw Patrol, and games featuring the Nottingham Panthers ice hockey team. These actions were found to be in breach of council regulations. The report also highlights that he failed to declare his attendance at the opening of The Ivy restaurant in Nottingham, where he had offered his presence “in my capacity as the Sheriff of Nottingham.”

Further scrutiny revealed that Mr. Khan accepted complimentary invitations to the hospitality suite at Nottingham Racecourse but did not disclose these visits, contravening transparency rules expected of public officials.

The investigation was conducted by the legal firm Bevan Brittan following complaints lodged against Mr. Khan. It concluded that he breached the council’s code of conduct. Mr. Khan has denied any wrongdoing, claiming he did not intend to seek personal benefit from his official status. However, the report states it is unlikely the use of his title was “entirely inadvertent.”

Elected to Nottingham City Council in 2019, Mr. Khan’s role as sheriff was honorary and lasted for one year. The standards committee is set to review the report in the coming weeks. Sources close to Mr. Khan indicate his legal representation plans to challenge aspects of the report, citing both legal and factual inaccuracies.

The report is publicly available on the city council’s website. The outcome of the committee’s review has yet to be announced.