I’ll write later on today’s verdict but I thought it’d be useful to provide Richard Mawrey’s ruling in full as a separate document.
But nothing can replicate the tone with which he read his executive summary this morning.
The full ruling is here:
Richard Mawrey QC’s ruling on Tower Hamlets election court. I particularly like paras 201 and 421.
In short, Lutfur Rahman lost on seven of nine counts. He has been removed from office and is barred from standing in the re-run for Mayor, which is likely on June 11. He faces costs of at least £250,000. His agent, Cllr Alibor Choudhury, as also been removed from office.
Cllr Oliur Rahman is now Acting Mayor and must choose a deputy. The remaining Tower Hamlets First councillors remain in office. Mr Mawrey said their elections had also been corrupt but they weren’t named in the petition, so they can’t be removed. The council’s legal chief told me that would now be a matter for the police, should they want to take a case up.
Lutfur’s only appeal route is a judicial review, but the ruling was extremely damning. A judicial review could not in itself prevent a new election.
More later.
You are a testament to what was once great about this borough ted.
I agree. Had there not been a constant updating of the events from Ted that detailed this appalling affront to democracy, I doubt there would be so much interest.
The transcript of court proceedings posted here were nothing short of shocking. The complete disregard of the law by Rahman et al relating to political organisations was only exceeded by the fact that they managed to get away with it without even a hint of concern by the Electoral Commission.
Mr Mawrey’s summing up is damning:
“What may be said with certainty is that whatever the documentation necessary to be produced to satisfy the Electoral Commission to permit registration, that documentation formed no part of the running of the party. At all times the party had two officers and two officers only: Mr Rahman, the leader, and Mr Choudhury, the treasurer. When asked who the nominating officer was, Mr Rahman said it was Mr Choudhury. Reference to s 24 of
PPERA above will show that it is permissible for the leader to be nominating officer or treasurer (or both) but it does not permit the treasurer to be nominating officer. Thus the party should have had a separate nominating officer if Mr Rahman was not prepared to undertake the task, and it is a sign of the complete disregard for PPERA manifested by Mr Rahman and Mr Choudhury that these formalities were not even paid lip service.
The financial arrangements were even more bizarre. It can be said that because the Commission rubber-stamped the application for registration it may be inferred that the Commission was satisfied. All one may say, with the greatest of respect for the Commission, that the enquiries into the structures of THF cannot have been excessively rigorous.
The reality is that there was no responsible financial scheme whatsoever. Mr Rahman and Mr Choudhury admitted quite freely in evidence that the party had never had (or even proposed to have) a bank account. The court was told an elaborate rigmarole of how party donations were logged in some kind of Excel spreadsheet and they were called off in kind rather than in cash by asking ‘donors’ to pay the party’s bills. Although donations and expenditure are statutorily required to be made through the treasurer, this rule was
conveniently ignored.
Despite frequent requests made by Mr Hoar and the polite raising of judicial eyebrows at the apparent lack of documentation, neither Mr Rahman nor Mr Choudhury produced any books of account or even the much-mentioned Excel spreadsheet.
In short, the financial affairs of THF were, at best, wholly irresponsible and at worst,dishonest. While documents were produced apparently showing that ‘donors’ had paid some expenses of the party, those payments had obviously not passed through the treasurer or been recorded in any books of account. True returns of expenses were made to the Electoral Commission (incomplete as it turned out in the case of the party’s most generous donor) but beyond a few invoices addressed to people who were not officials of THF, which they seem to have paid, the finances of THF were shrouded in mystery.”
The Electoral Commission have some serious explaining to do as to how this dishonest and fraudulent tin pot organisation got as far as it did.
You are correct. It is truly, truly shocking what this group have been allowed to get away with, and for so long. I wonder if questions were not asked for fear of cries of racism, or
Islamaphobia? Also, how deep into other organisations such as Lbth council, the local Labour Party, Unite, local Police and religious groups has this been entrenched?
If you are a crook, you are a crook! Race nor religion should not be a factor.
Now that the initial case has proven the guilt of Rahman and Choudary, it’s time time that the others who were and still are complicit in this web of deceit and criminality are pursued with gusto by the relevant government bodies. That includes the rest of the bent THF lot, senior council ifficials, members of the local Labour Party, the Unite Union, Galloway and Livingstone (conspicuous in their silence), the police, political advisors and bankrolledand anyone else that this shit will stick to. And there has been a suspicious stench about this place for many years!
I expect Dave Hill, that well know lackey of Rahman and Livingstone arse licker in chief, will now apologise and resign from Al Gruaniad even though his wife is an executive. Can we also expect recantations from Galloway, Livingstone, Lindsey German, John Rees, Richard Seymour, Owen Jones and all the rest of the coterie of Rahman apologists from the liberal left to the loony left to say they got it wrong? I’m not holding my breath.
Oh, I forgot. Stick Mehdi Hasan and Laurie Penny in there as well.
Oh, and Sunny Hundal, let’s not forget him.
Everyone get over to Comment is Free at Al Gruaniad. The arse licker in chief Dave Hill is trying to change his story and is getting stick, let’s give him more.
I can’t find it. Link?
I would like to pay thanks to the Petitioners who, with their iron nerve, triumphed where politicians, central government and the police failed. Also to Ted, for his contribution to the cause including this blog which undoubtedly helped.
To Rahman, Alibor and THF; FUCK OFF.
Seize their passports and freeze their assets before the crooks abscond!
I’d be very surprised if they’ve not squirrelled lots of cash away in case.
Well done everyone, justice prevails.
Happy St George’s Day!!!
Though the shear arrogance of these people hopefully means that they thought this outcome was inconceivable and were carrying on as normal….
justice prevails.
It does not. At best partial justice has been achieved. The others remain in office because the Law of England protects their corruption.
Free and fair elections ?</b? when the task of questioning an election is expensive, daunting and ther is a very, very restricted time limit.
The UK is a Banana Republic when elections are concerned. Fundamental election laws date back to pre-the motorised carriage days. No wonder we are the laughing-stock of Europe and of the Council of Europe.
CC.
I’d be happy to see them leave the country ‘sooner the better’ but I agree with The Grim Reaper, strip them of all their assets etc first! Especially passports.
Here, heard.
It takes enormous courage to challenge election wrong-doings because the Law of England is unfit-for-purpose but no national political party wants to improve the law.
Ted writes “Mr Mawrey said their elections had also been corrupt but they weren’t named in the petition, so they can’t be removed.”
How bonkers is that !!!!!!!!!!!
Be an election crook and the Law of England will protect you.
Curious Cat
I would very much like to thank Ted for his unstinting hard work and incredible investigations as documented on this blog!
For me,in the last few years, this blog has become a beacon shining a search light on the corruption, wrongdoing and generally despicable and selfish actions of some members of the Council and community.
Ted always made me feel like wrongs would be righted in the end.
Let’s all hope that Tower Hamlets can now stop being in the news for all the wrong sort of headlines.
Let’s all go back to being a real community – one that is inclusive rather than divided by the behaviour of erstwhile Politicians from what is now the past.
That was then and this is now.
I extend my very best wishes to our community – in all its different cultural guises – and hope that you identify new and trustworthy people of integrity to stand in the next election. People who are happy to represent ALL the people of Tower Hamlets and particularly ALL those in their wards. I know there are lots of really good people out there – who have a moral backbone and know right from wrong. Let’s hope that we get some of them onto the Council
……and now Ted – about the petition to have the Mayoralty removed from Tower Hamlets?
Excellent, excellent words.
Thank you, youcouldn’tmakeitup.
Tim.
Re the last post, my sentiments exactly.
Huge thanks to Ted and Mark Baines for their tireless work! The people of Tower Hamlets have a strong history of standing up for what is right – another one for the history books. Well done!
Let’s hope that this forces fair and properly run elections which result in the rest of the crooked THF bunch booted back to obscurity. Also, the criminal case which follows resulting in many behind bars and assets returned to the borough.
A message from Steve Halsey
As staff may be aware, an Election Petition Hearing relating to the Mayoral Election in 2014 has been heard at the Royal Courts of Justice over the last two months.
The judge in this case, Richard Mawrey, QC, delivered his judgement today.
Lutfur Rahman has been removed from office and there will now need to be a new mayoral election within the next two months.
We will be following the usual processes around the election and further details will follow on the intranet in due course.
I am pleased to confirm that Mr Mawrey found that the allegations made by the Petitioners against the Returning Officer, John Williams, and his staff were entirely unfounded.
Our processes for running elections have been subject to intense scrutiny and found to be sound. There has been no suggestion that staff have acted inappropriately at any time.
I appreciate that this will be an uncertain time for staff. However, our focus must be on continuing to deliver our successful services to our residents.
If you have any concerns, please speak with your manager.
Not quite correct.
Agreeing not to proceed with the second respondent (i.e. John Williams) is not quite the same as finding the elections to be sound. Plus the Election Commission said something very different.
His failure to grasp basic points in relation to election process and investigations of same means he has just ruled himself out of any prospect of being considered to be the Acting Returning Officer for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets ie the Chief Executive – which is the officer who has traditionally held this role.
Have you got a EleCom quotation or a cite please ?
Click to access Our-report-on-elections-held-in-Tower-Hamlets-in-May-2014.pdf
Many thanks, Couldn’t.
CC.
Does page 66 mean that Ted can now lay claim to that immortal phrase “a footnote in history” – because, as many of us have realised, this is a landmark case which is going to be quoted in all sorts of legal and political textbooks for years to come!
Maybe a screen dump might qualify as a suitable image for the top of your blog?
Especially now that we don’t have to look at the ex-Mayor’s face on absolutely everything any longer…….
I realise I should have explained
Footnote 39 at the bottom of page 66 of the Judgement in the case says
“The other is Mr Ted Jeory of whom there will be more later”
Ted Jeory for Mayor!
No, what would I do if I can’t whine, bitch and criticise on his blog!
Appoint an out-of-work mayor to run the blog 🙂
He can’t afford the Comms people to write on his behalf now that he can’t get their inflated wages paid for by poor tax payers!
Town hall media staff have this afternoon attempted to stop Michael Crick and his team from filming a shot of the plaque that bears Lutfur’s name as Mayor.
Who the hell do these press minions think they are?
Fortunately Mr. Crick and his team took the shot anyway and many more from outside the town hall
Prior to this little Oli Rahman made a brief statement to the press. “We not done nothing wrong gov”, was the general gist of it. Unfortunately for them the High Court disagreed with them
RIP Lutfur Rahmans political career
And Murziline Parchment Lutfurs 120k head of office will be out of work soon too.
Oh dear how sad
Bunch of pricks.
if it is truly “sad” why am I laughing 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
?
Town hall media staff need to remember that the Town Hall is a public building!
Or maybe they wanted to feature on the Channel 4 News at 7?
Met Police considering a criminal investigation. Statement due later today.
See:
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/apr/23/tower-hamlets-mayor-lutfur-rahman-found-guilty-of-electoral
“” Mawrey said the effect of his ruling was that “Mr Rahman’s election as mayor on 22 May 2014 was void – that is to say, it is as if it had never taken place. He has not lawfully been mayor since that date.” “”
“” The group of four voters who took legal action against Rahman and forced the hearing were praised by the judge for their courage and told that they had been fully vindicated.
“” They called for a criminal inquiry into Rahman but questioned whether it could be carried out by local police because of their “connections” to Rahman.
“”
You can see Ted’s blow by blow tweets on the topic on the comments on the previous blog post. https://trialbyjeory.com/2015/04/22/another-hitler-salute-from-ahad-miahand-prayers-said-for-mayor-lutfur/
Some of us were sat pressing refresh on his blog for two hours…….. 😉
Does that mean we can ask for his salary and inflated expenses back?
Will Alibor have to pay court costs also?
I bet a pound to a penny that that won’t happen. You can see the alacrity with which they tackled polling station intimidation and I’m sure they will tackle a criminal investigation of Rahman with similar enthusiasm.
CC – what are those alleged ‘connections with Rahman’?
Well Done Ted, you deserve the freedom of the city. Tower Hamlets Community Champion along with of Love Wapping Mark. Your relentless to get the truth out has been outstanding. Along with Cllr Peter Golds who has stood so much personal abuse from the disgusting THF people many would have given up. Also not forgetting Andrew Gillingan, Eric Pickles from not walking away having the balls to send in PwG and Commissioners in fear of racist reprisals.
I suspect the police are controlled by Guardian reading socialists just like the court of appeal, schools, the civil service, the BBC etc…
Note: Equality and Human Rights Commission (‘EHRC’)
421
It is at this point that we meet the other significant figure whose presence was sensed throughout the trial but who was not called as a witness. Mr Ted Jeory is the News Editor of the Sunday and Daily Express Online. He has a keen interest in Tower Hamlets and makes clever use of his somewhat unusual surname to produce a blog entitled ‘trialbyjeory’. Having received a copy of the EHRC letter from Mr Choudhury, and realising that it was going to be used to claim that the EHRC was agreeing he had a case,
Mr Jeory took up the cudgels on Mr Biggs’s behalf and wrote to the Commission pointing out the use to which its letter was likely to be put.
422
When Mr Jeory’s intervention reached the EHRC, it hit the panic button. Its Chief Legal Officer was wheeled out to issue a strong retraction in a letter dated 11 April 2014:
In other words the EHRC is as big a scum bag anti white conspiracy as the late and totally unlamented Commission for Racial Equality
Last year’s entire council and mayoral elections should be re-run. If Lutfur got in via fraud, then surely the entire election needs to be held again?
I think that might well be what is happening. I don’t quite see how you can find an election has been corrupted and only rerun part of it.
Let’s wait and see what Eric makes of it all.
On the other hand if every Councillor resigned in protest at the proven corrupt election practices then there would have to be an election! 🙂
the answer comes in this section of the Judgement (note it’s my ‘bold’)
“Obviously unsatisfactory” is a gross understatement!
I am been saying and writing for several years that our election laws are wrong. The major political parties and those civil servants in Communities and Cabinet Office responsible for elections must know the imperfections too, but nothing gets done. Improvement is a dirty word in government.
Why ? because the dominant national parties must be benefitting from the election law imperfections.
Curious Cat.
What does Marc Francis/oldford1 have to say about this?
We’ll see as much of OldFord1/Marc Francis on this blog from this point on as we’ll see of Rahman in public – i.e. none.
Tim.
I expect Marc Francis/oldford1 will now resign as a councillor.
“Events of recent months in contexts very different from electoral malpractice have starkly demonstrated what happens when those in authority are afraid to confront wrongdoing for fear of allegations of racism and Islamophobia. Even in the multicultural society which is 21st century Britain, the law must be applied fairly and equally to everyone. Otherwise we are lost.”
Did someone in modern Britain really have the courage to say what most of us are thinking? Wow!
Forgot to add the following: well done and thank you to Mr Erlam, Ms Simone, Ms Moffat, Mr Hussein and Mr Hoar.
In the Birmingham judgement, the same Election Commissioner (‘The Judge’) was reluctant to criticise the establishment (including the Returning Officer) despite the mess.
Tower Hamlets
THE RETURNING OFFICER
651
Following the agreement reached between the Petitioners and the Returning Officer before the beginning of the hearing, Mr Williams played little part in the trial. His counsel only appeared on the opening day, on the day when Mr Williams himself gave evidence and on the day of final oral submissions.
652
Nevertheless it is appropriate to include a short passage in this judgment about Mr Williams. The criticisms made of him in the Petition were very largely criticisms of alleged failures by his staff, whether at polling stations or at the count, and there was very little criticism of Mr Williams personally. Those criticisms have been unreservedly withdrawn – and rightly so.
653
Mr Williams faced a formidable task. He was conducting three simultaneous elections, two of which, as this court has found, were marred by serious and widespread electoral malpractice on the part of the Mayor and his inner circle. There is no doubt that far too many people attended the count and the behaviour of many who attended was regrettable.
654
Mr Williams was much criticised in the media for the length of time that the count took but the circumstances were such that this was inevitable and he seems to have made the correct decisions, even if they disappointed some in the press.
655
All in all, Mr Williams did a completely professional job in very difficult and trying circumstances. He is a man of considerable experience in elections – indeed may be considered an expert in the subject – though that expertise was sorely tested in 2014.
656
As the court has found so often with professional returning officers, Mr Williams was a man who kept his head when all around were losing theirs.
I’d read that as meaning that John Williams did the best he could in very trying circumstances and not in any way as a comment on the conduct of the elections by his staff at the polling stations or staff at the count.
In other words the criticisms in relation to John Williams PERSONALLY were withdrawn and properly so – is what the section seems to be saying.
For the fans of stories about Isabella Freeman I give you para 256 of the Judgement
What did we use to say about her crackpot interpretation of the law?
I do hope her current employers are reading this.
They’ll be like rats on a sinking ship now. Let’s sit back and enjoy watching it unfold and the fur fly!
More to the point this is a legal argument which will not now be available to the Deputy Mayor! 🙂
No doubt someone might do a FOI at the Homes & Communities Agency asking if she is doing any Human Rights work bearing in mind the court’s comments and if she is, is the boss confident of her interpretation of the legislation.
I see Lee Jasper has said it’s all racism and that we should be moving towards everyone voting on the internet.
I see either Marc Francis/oldford1 or Lee Grasper has given a thumbs down.
and we now have the Electoral Commission statement on outcome of the Tower Hamlets election petition (News release published: 23-04-2015)
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/journalist/electoral-commission-media-centre/news-releases-corporate/electoral-commission-statement-on-outcome-of-the-tower-hamlets-election-petition?
Yeah, and re-run the entire damn election, with Lutfur and Alibor stumping up the cost!
Extremely sensible idea, young man.
CC.
The Electoral Commission’s comment is rubbish as is much of what the aimless Quango does.
They are lots of imperfections which the Electoral Commission regularly ignores. It should be replaced with a fit-for-purpose organisation.
CC.
[…] A very well-informed source – indispensable in fact – on Tower Hamlets and its politics is Trial by Jeory. Latest post: Tower Hamlets election court: Judge Richard Mawrey QC’s full ruling […]
For the many members of the media following this blog – as well as many people in Tower Hamlets, let’s have a little selection of Ted’s past posts on the topic of the Deputy Mayor Oliur Rahman
Guest post by Tower Hamlets deputy mayor Oli Rahman: My trip to Greece https://trialbyjeory.com/2015/04/13/guest-post-by-tower-hamlets-deputy-mayor-oli-rahman-my-trip-to-greece/
Lutfur’s In Betweeners: Four Tower Hamlets First councillors fly to Greece to dish out advice
Deputy Mayor Oli Rahman marched from Job Centre workplace amid Cabinet Office concerns about ‘political neutrality’
Oli Rahman’s apology for £1,400 of taxi fares
This is the man who is now in charge of Tower Hamlets???!!!
And that’s a VERY good point. Oli Rahman is damned near as despicable at Lutfur Rahman, and yet it seems that we have been saddled with him as the de facto alternative.
Are we out of the frying pan and into the fire?
Tim.
We only have Olli, the unelected Deputy Mayor, until the next Mayoral election which will be soon.The new Mayor will elect his or her own Cabinet which will remove THF Councillors from the cabinet as I can’t see a new Mayor from another political party retaining THF cabinet members. Sadly, as the judgement says, the THF Councillors are entitled to remain until the next local election in 2018.
Those will be the THF councillors who read no English and speak little of it, never turn up to meetings but still collect a fat ‘allowance’ (running into tens of thousands of pounds) each year, plus several times that in ‘expenses’, taxi fares and heaven only knows what else?
As has been said before, despicable. I sincerely hope that Pickles takes this matter on board, although understand that he simply may not be able to do anything about this.
Is the little twerp going to apologise to the residents of Tower Hamelts for the criminal way the former Mayor and the THF Councillors wasted public money and for the damage the despicable Rahman and his cronies have done to the borough, to politics and to democracy?
Judging by the interviews on the television tonight both he and a number of others among the Bangladeshi community are in complete denial about the verdict, what was said by the Judge and what it all means.
The only way I can explain such behaviour is that they really do mean it when they say the verdict came as a complete shock.
Anyone hear Oli Rahman R4 this morning? He sounded as straight as a corkscrew and thicker than pig sh1t. He simultaneously tried to claim that he had faith in the legal system BUT that Mawrey was wrong and that there was a big racist conspiracy against bangaldeshis in TH.
He is no better than Lutfur Rahman. That is plain to see.
I fear that the Mayor and his cronies do not have the money to pay the legal costs which means the petitioners could be in a lot of debt. Ted, can you clarify when the dust settles and let us all know. I expect that many would want to make a (further) contribution to the fund.
I think we should wait and see.
If Rahman is made bankrupt I will gladly donate to their expenses
This is the Donation Page
http://towerhamletselectionpetition.org/donate.php
In the corrupt, extremist linked, lying former Mayor’s Notification of Personal Interests, he has declared a beneficial interest in 2 properties in the borough; one in E3 the other in E1.
JK,
The clear implication of that is that, if declared bankrupt, those properties could be taken off him by his creditors, non?
Possibly. It depends on the extent of his interest in those properties.
Ted I thank you sincerely. You show what a respectable, real journalist can do.
I wonder how many hits you’ll get when Lutfurs Trolls loose their funding.
Note that the judge said all Tower Hamlets First councillors were elected as a result of CORRUPT PRACTICES and he wished he had the power to discharge them all
On such a historical day, when will Murziline Parchment and Lutfur’s army of advisors be given the boot?
Mr Pee Wee (Oliur Rahman) really is an idiot isn’t it? Today the judge ruled that the whole period from May 22nd 2014 to today Lutfur’s time as Mayor is VOID as though it never happened
I take it you are referring to Oliur Rahman not adjusting his mindset fast enough and being made to look really stupid in the BBC television interview outside the Town Hall re the the ex-Mayor “being elected twice”.
Like he said, it’s come as a big shock to them all.
Although maybe not to the ex-Mayor if he decided to stay away?
The Former Deputy Mayor really needs to get it into his head – the Election last May never happened and those 37k+ votes never happened because they were obtained ILLEGALLY by somebody who had comprehensively corrupted the proper election process, who bought votes and who lied in court!
This is a legal finding on facts which can only be challenged on points of law.
I haven’t come across anyone yet who really thinks the ex-Mayor has any sort of serious chance of coming back from this one. He needs to get his cheque book out…..
Cllr Oliur Rahman also needs to remember that the Electoral Commissioner also said that he personally was elected only as a result of corrupt practices. The only reason he’s not out of a job at the Town Hall today is because he wasn’t named in the Petition.
I somehow think we haven’t heard the last of that particular aspect.
Seems everyone is sleeping-off the effects of their celebration.
Anyone willing to say more about Isabella’s apparent protection of the mayor, whoops ex-mayor, or Isabella preventing or hindering citizens and councillors pursuing legitimate enquiries into corrupt and worrying Tower Hamlets ?
Seeking comments, devoid of expletives, for publication – names can be omitted. Unembellished truthfully accounts welcome.
Thank you.
Curious Cat
u22.net/cat
0131-516 3991 (answering service when out)
SNP fan since 1968.
The seriously worrying fact is there will be more election fraud, just in a different place.
With the present Law of England effectively hampering, if not actually preventing, the unmasking and scrutiny of election fraud in all its differing manifestations, you’ll all miss the next one, because the individuals names and places will change, the fraud methods will alter slightly but the deliberately criminal fraud will not.
Read the Birmingham judgement http://law.slough.info/law44/law44.php
and, if you haven’t the time, just one page from the Slough judgement entitled
Proving and disproving the ghost voters
http://law.slough.info/law41/law41p028.php
This is your country. It needs your active help to clean-up voting fraud nationwide. Replacing the hopelessly crap Electoral Commission is a good first step. But a lot more needs to be done. I don’t want to make Richard Mawrey “redundant” but ignoring the widespread problem and doing nothing is not a satisfactory option if, despite all the various problems of life, you love/respect/like this country. Its not perfect but it is all many of us have – so lets improve it – clean-up the sleaze.
Thank you.
Curious Cat.
Good point about Isabella. We’ve seen more than a few incidents from past lives in other arenas being revisited and reviewed in Court – as part of criminal proceedings to know that walking away doesn’t mean that past “mistakes” won’t catch up with you.
I should think there’s more than a few people who think she very definitely has a case to answer re obstruction of proper process (Mawrey was damning was he not?). However whether it’s civil or criminal – and whether it would stand up in court – I simply haven’t got a clue. Plus there’s also the question of who would take it on.
The interesting thing is the criminal proof test was used in Rahman’s case which presumably means there could be more to come – and maybe more for other people too?
However I do agree with you – this case has comprehensively demonstrated that the Electoral Commission is not fit for purpose – not least in respect of its validation of the registration of political parties.
“There is nothing improper about what we do”.
(Former) Cllr. Alibor Choudhury.
22nd January 2014
Innit!
Justice has been served – both human and divine!!!
One other thing, a further petition should be brought against (Shame it didn’t happen in the first place) these defunct possibly illegitimate Tower Hamlets First Cllrs. Because they were not included in the original petition the Judge was unable to disqualify them too. Nevertheless one hopes the CPS and Scotland Yard will find the required evidence to kick them out.
This includes Oli Rahman, not sure why you are so sympathetic and generous towards Oli – he has been a blind Lutfur poodle. He has used you Ted to sustain his political career. It’s time you let him go.
I believe it maybe too late to bring a petition to remove the THF Councillors who were elected through corrupt practices. As the judgement says, this is unsatisfactory. However, the judgement clearly describes a number of criminal so hopefully these THF Councillors will get an early morning knock at the door soon. The THF Cabinet members will be removed from the cabinet following the up-coming Mayoral election.
Of one thing you can be certain, the only people allowed to stand for the Mayoral Election under a formal ‘party’ flag will be those who can demonstrate that they belong to a proper political party which has observed all proper processes – like the submission of proper accounts within the appropriate time period
Which means Tower Hamlets First is effectively ‘dead in the water’.
THF is dead in the water (although one may point out that something that never existed cannot be dead …. ) However the sad reality is that the people behind the smokescreen that was THF will simply come back under another guise. After all, they were TH Labour, then Respect and then THF.
We should all await the formation of a new party called “Justice for Tower Hamlets” or “Action against racism in Tower Hamlets” or some tosh like that, which is run by the same people for exactly the same ends.
That’s why I indicated that whatever guise THS Councillors come back in, I think you will find the other parties insisting that proper regulatory checks are made as to their constitution, financial systems, bank accounts etc etc.
If you a party says it’s a party then it has to do it by the book – properly.
Slip of the keyboard – I, of course, meant “THF Councillors” not THS
I wonder if they’ll be trying to flex their dwindling cabinet powers before they’re torn away? Their entire authority needs to be snuffed out, but quick!
Well I think we now have the explanation for why there are Commissioners in there and why they have the powers they do.
I expect Pickles will make a statement within the few days about what additional powers he has given the Commissioners until such time as an Election has been held
I think the problem with that is the scope for bringing a Petition – under the Current Law – has a time limit on it, it’s not open-ended.
That’s why I’m wondering whether Pickles will do anything to allow that scope retrospectively. If he does, (assuming he’s still got his job post Election) then IMO the THF Councillors are finished one way or another.
However – what I’ve noted about Pickles is that he’s got somebody sat alongside him who makes him play it by the book. After all if you’re going to tackle an issue about proper process, then the one thing you can be certain about is that proper process will be followed.
I guess the issue bottom line is whether the current time limit impedes justice – as it clearly does in this instance – and whether the rules need to be changed as a result. I think this case provides evidence of the need for some sort of change.
One option to resolve the issue is for the process to be followed up by a Police Investigation. I guess we’ll see.
My own view is that, but for the General Election, the Metropolitan Commissioner would have very definitely have been on the carpet in front of the Home Secretary this morning to explain how come a judicial process found comprehensive wrongdoing when the police had previously indicated there was no case to answer. For all I know that might still happen as the only thing that is suspended for the election period is Parliament and decision-making. In every other respect, Cabinet members still need to fulfil their roles when the need arises.
Whoever gets in at the General Election I don’t think this topic is going to just go away. It’s too important for all sorts of reasons.
The judgement and removal of Rahman and Alibor is just the start. I don’t see how the THF Councillors have any legitimacy now. THF Cabinet members will be removed following the up-coming Mayoral election but all are entitled to stay until 2018! Some might do the decent thing and resign, but I doubt it, some might try another party but who’d have them? The judgement sets out a number of criminal offences committed but the Police cannot be relied on.
You are referring to election law. Yes there is a stupid time limit.
However a fraud, and that is what we are dealing with, remains a criminal offence. Just need to prosecute using the Fraud Act 2006 instead and whatever other existing laws will provide a suitable remedy.
The law may often be an ass but any skilful lawyer knows there are usually alternative means to achieve the same objective.
CC.
=> Richard Cohen
Half -a-justice is not justice.
Justice has not been served because some of the crooks remain elected councillors. Until they leave full justice is being denied.
Curious Cat
The Council doesn’t mess about does it? Check out the official website list of members for two missing faces…..
It’s as if they never happened – which, I guess, is the point Mawrey was making.
http://moderngov.towerhamlets.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=ALPHA&VW=LIST&PIC=0
Blimey. It’s a bit early for some of those ugly mugs. Looking at this rogues gallery, I’m reminded of one of those most wanted lists of shifty looking murders, con artistes and violent criminals at the end of Crimewatch, all be it the Bangladeshi version.
I wonder who else will be shot off of that list over the coming weeks? More heads need to roll, as we’ve barely scratched the surface!
Welcome to Tower Hamlets democracy. It truly is criminal.
Such joy to wake up this morning and not have LR as the Mayor. rejoice!!
But the case leaves a trail of unsnswered questions
– perjury charges – agsinst Cllrs Asad and Miam Miah?
– behsviour of the Police
– the threats made against Bangledeshi opponents of LR
AND
how did it happen? what were the three ststutory officers of the Council doing over the last 4 years doing? at best looking the other way and worst colluding,
The residents of LBTH have a right to some answers.
any ideas Ted?
You are absolutely right – the residents of Tower Hamlets are very definitely entitled to some answers.
Not least about how much taxpayers money has been spent removing officers from their posts because they got in the way of what the ex-Mayor wanted to do.
The point about what were the three Statutory Officers of the Council – past and present – doing is a really good one. It’s certainly one which Pickles should be very mindful of.
The Statutory Officers are meant to be the checks and balances on the proper conduct of the Council and are the means to put a brake on the wrongdoing of Councillors. Of course to do that, you actually have to be able to retain your job and not be threatened or eased out of office!
All I know is that in other Councils, after a formal investigation of “what happened” – following Court Cases which have convicted Councillors – is that leading Chief Officers have been removed from office. That’s the ones where there has been evidence of clear collusion and those who haven’t already spotted the need to fall on their sword and resign.
Over and above that, I imagine it’s entirely possible that the appropriate professional bodies will also be doing their own investigations with respect to the legal and financial side of things (e.g. disposal of properties over and above those investigated by the recent PWC investigation) – as well they should! However such investigations would always avoid being caught up in the timeline of any criminal proceedings arising out of the recent Court case. Later rather than sooner would be my guess.
What I’d like to see is a proper formal Inquiry as to:
(1) what on earth happened which allowed things to become so distanced from proper process and
(2) why didn’t the checks and balances work properly.
Interestingly we have two heavyweight and respected ex-Chief Executives who I’m pretty sure know full well what was happening. I’m guessing they may be very willing to give evidence to any Formal Inquiry which releases them from any formal legal agreement to keep their mouths shut.
Apart from us having his mini-me dat in the hot seat!
It’s odd how silince had taken hold with the two usually vocal men following thee damning verdict, and their instant power stripping. Though I’m informed that is their human right!
What’s the betting that they’ve done a bunk, and we’ll find them doing a Sadam? Caught trying to get out of the country, with bags of dirty money and the Mayer and Speaker’s ceremonial gold and silver?
Let’s not forget what happened to that evil dictator!
I’d be interested to hear from people who have seen Rahman in recent weeks around the Town Hall (obstructing the appointment of a new CEO etc) since he gave evidence.
His appearance and demeanour in Court latterly made it sound very much like this was a man who was very depressed.
The fact that he’s been actively opposing the appointment of an external person as CEO made it seem like he was back to form once he was back in the hot seat.
I bet they’d look very fetching in their burkas and matching cheap shoes. I wonder if they’ve gone the whole hog and are wearing eye makeup, slinky ladies undergarments and hosiery to complete the look? Come on boys, i knew you had it in you.
Perhaps you could do a specialist double act as drag queens on the Gay Scene?
Only trying to help with career options following your recent news, as I’m guessing politics, legal and civil service roles are going to be thin on the ground.
I’m reliably informed Drag Queens prefer cash, so those years on the fiddle may come in handy!
Most likely to have been in the audience most days, if not every day, a CPS barrister (perhaps a QC) quietly making notes to assist a criminal prosecution.
The police will be forced to act, because the publicity means they can’t sweep this under their already lumpy carpets.
One should feel some sorrow for Messrs Rahman and Choudhury because part 1 of their long nightmare has began. Part 2 of the nightmare begins with the eventual sentencing.
It will take time but it will happen.
Curious Cat
‘Judge me on my record’ said Lutfur Rahman, corrupt former Mayor of Tower Hamlets. I didn’t realise he meant criminal record.
Nice one geez!
Ted – you do realise there’s a book to be written? 🙂
There is and it should go back quite a way to the Stop the War scumbags and Respect twelve years ago.
I was thinking the same thing – it needs to go some way back to provide proper context for the joke which Tower Hamlets Council has become.
Nothing to do with the facts then?
I’m not surprised. Hopefully the Police won’t give them special treatment this time like they did to Rahman and his supporters
Here’s a video clip of the Michael Crick piece on last night’s Channel 4 News
http://bcove.me/tpixjtqa
How on earth the petitioners coped with shouldering the responsibility of finding a £1 million to fund their petition I have no idea!
Pity there is no MP4 version – not everyone uses Flash.
You couldn’t make this up et al…
I hope you have enjoyed talking to and congratulating yourselves.
I fear however that your joy will be short lived.
An elevated recorder acting as a judge in a civil case, where the probability of proof is lower than in a standard court of law, is allowed to overturn the votes of tens of thousands of Tower Hamlets residents.
Most voters will see through this farce.
Mawrey is a deputy High Court judge, if my memory is correct.
Mawrey uses the CRIMINAL STANDARD OF EVIDENCE even in this PRIVATE LAW (commonly known as civil law) case.
Get your facts right before you start spouting nonsense.
=============================
PDF judgement page 15
Burden and standard of proof
45
In general terms, an election court is a civil court not a criminal court. Many of the matters it has to consider, however, involve conduct which amounts to the commission of criminal offences under the 1983 Act or other electoral legislation.
46
The general burden of proof both in respect of the charges of corrupt or illegal practices and in respect of the allegation of general corruption must necessarily rest on the Petitioner. Although there are instances when the burden may shift to the Respondent (such as under s 158(3) cited above), they do not affect the general rule itself.
47
There was no controversy at the hearing about the standard of proof the court must apply to the charges of corrupt and illegal practices. It is settled law that the court must apply the criminal standard of proof, namely proof beyond reasonable doubt. This was definitively decided by the Court of Appeal in R v Rowe, ex parte Mainwaring8, a decision binding on this court
etc. etc.
Alright John, what’s happening in THF at the moment. Are you talking about the real votes or “other” in your comment?
Please say the Mayoral Advisors are removed from office?
When will Ken’s poodle Murziline Parchment be given her marching orders and all the IFE linked members in his team?
Arise Sir Ted Jeory of Tower Hamlets, for services to local journalism and democracy.
@ Gary East – I’m still fuming that a highly paid council officer, Head of the Mayors office was operating in court – providing information to a pro Rahman Twitter feed. Alas, I’m the only person outraged.