The mayor of High Wycombe allegedly missed a flight home from Pakistan after airport officials questioned him over the mayoral chains in his luggage.

Cllr Sarfaraz Khan Raja took the ceremonial chain with him on a trip abroad and was said to have been stopped at Islamabad Airport when the chain was identified on a luggage scan.

It prompted outrage from members of the public and council officials, who wanted reassurance that the mayor had permission to take the chains abroad.

Rumours also swirled on social media that the mayor was reprimanded and had the chain “confiscated” at the airport – but Bill Reid, town clerk at Wycombe District Council, urged members of the public not to believe “false news”.

He said the mayor was not arrested and the chain was not confiscated.

He told the Bucks Free Press: “The mayor was stopped at Islamabad on the way out when the chain was identified when it went through the scanner.

“He explained what it was and was allowed in. It now transpires they should have given him some paperwork explaining the chain had been brought into the country for a short visit - but they didn’t.

“He was then stopped on the way back when the chain was again identified in the scanner. As he didn’t have the paperwork he went through a series of discussions, so much so that he missed his flight.

“He was however put on a subsequent flight when the situation was clear.”

The mayoralty’s procedural notes say the “the mayor’s chain, nor any part of the regalia may be taken out of the UK mainland without the express written consent of the standing committee and the town clerk” – but Mr Reid confirmed that the mayor did have permission.

He added: “In this instance the mayor announced at a meeting of the standing committee that he was planning a trip to Pakistan and was taking the chain. The minutes of the meeting state ‘the mayor had agreed to pay the additional premium required by the insurers for the duration of the trip’.

“Whilst this technically isn’t a ‘signed document’ it was with the agreement of the members of the standing committee - none of whom raised any question about the trip.”

Cllr Raja did not respond to requests for comment from the Bucks Free Press before going to print.