POLICE have now interviewed a controversial Worcester politician who threatened to “dig up” a dead man’s body during an infamous dispute with a grieving family.

City councillor Allah Ditta has been interviewed by West Mercia Police officers over a “possible public order offence” when he threatened to dig up the body of Monuhor Ali during a row with his family over an unpaid £400 bill.

Mr Ali died in June, aged 74, and is buried at the city’s private Muslim cemetery, where the politician does voluntary work in his own time tending to graves.

During the altercation, which took place in August, Mr Ditta was secretly recorded saying he would dig up the body unless he got the money.

West Mercia Police has also interviewed a witness to the tirade, as well as Mr Ali’s family, and is now considering whether any charges should be brought.

A spokesman said: “A man in his 60s was spoken to over a possible public order offence in connection with the incident.

“We are unable to give any more details as the investigation is still ongoing.”

Mr Ditta said: “They asked me about what happened and I’ve been apologetic about it.

“I’ve left it at that. I will leave it in their capable hands and wait to hear back from them now.”

Mr Ali’s family refused to pay the bill because they say neither Mr Ditta nor any of his associates have done any work on the grave – something which he has consistently denied.

Mr Ditta, a former Worcester mayor, is still a Conservative and sits on both the city and county councils.

The party has refused to kick him out on the grounds the outburst was not connected to his work as a politician – and because he apologised for the threats.

A complaint was made to the city council’s standards board, but that was rejected on the grounds he was acting as a volunteer at the time, not an elected politician.

Two weeks ago, he was confirmed as the party’s candidate to defend the Rainbow Hill seat in next year’s County Hall elections, despite the ongoing police investigation.