A WALTHAMSTOW man at the centre of a investigation into the Conservative party chairman's failure to declare a business interest was himself a regulator of standards in public life.

Baroness Warsi failed to inform officials about her shared business interests with Abid Hussain, of Melville Road, when the pair travelled to Pakistan on an official visit in 2010 and is now being investigated by the Lords standards commissioner.

Lady Warsi was at the time a shareholder in food company Rupert's Recipes of which Mr Hussain, a second cousin of her husband, is a director.

But it has now emerged that Mr Hussain until recently played a pivotal role in dealing with complaints about councillors in Waltham Forest, which could include allegations of failing to declare business interests.

He completed his four year stint as an independent committee member in May this year. Two other members had their terms extended.

Records show Mr Hussain attended only 10 of the 22 meetings during his time on the committee.

Minutes of a committee meeting in 2009 show Mr Hussain enquired as to whether a member would automatically lose the role if they were declared bankrupt.

He was told that electoral law required a member to resign in such circumstances.

Mr Hussain is listed as the director of a number of companies, including Walthamstow food firm Rupert's Recipes alongside Labour councillor Afzal Akram.

Other companies include Islamabad Times Limited, a news agency in Sheffield, and Community Consortium Against Poverty, based in Birmingham.

He was previously on the board of New Perspective Consultancy, which has now been dissolved.

Mr Hussain was also at two meetings with Pakistani politicians in London which was attended by Lady Warsi.

Lady Warsi’s office said she had not invited Mr Hussain to the events and he was a guest of the organisers.

In a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron, Lady Warsi apologised for not declaring her shared business interests with Mr Hussain.

She said Rupert's Recipes does not trade in Pakistan.

Her shares in the company have now been transferred to her husband.

Lady Warsi will also been investigated by the Lords standards commissioner following reports she claimed an accommodation allowance while staying rent-free with a friend.