In the YouTube video I posted of Lutfur Rahman’s acceptance speech last Saturday, here, you’ll see that he gives specific thanks to a Cllr Ohid Ahmed. Appropriately, given that he’s Lutfur’s campaign manager, he’s standing directly behind his right shoulder and cheering with all the theatrical passion of Peter Mandelson circa 1997.
No one has been able to work it out, but Ohid’s career has really taken off in the last few years. Officers who have dealt with him cringe at the mention of his name. They say he has a slightly aggressive style and that he becomes frustrated when he can’t make himself understood.
Yet, come October 21 he could well be one of the most powerful men in Tower Hamlets: a victorious Lutfur is bound to reward him with a top job, possibly even as deputy mayor. So, let’s take a closer look at him.
His declaration of interests can be seen here. You’ll notice that he owns two properties in the borough. Land Registry records show that he bought the flat in Aberfeldy Street from Poplar Harca housing association in 2003 for £87,000. What a good deal that was! And according to the electoral roll, he actually lives in the townhouse in Oban Street. I can’t find any Land Registry documents for that purchase.
You’ll also see that he likes his jollies.
17.11.07: Hospitality received from Eurostar (free tickets to Paris (return)) for Cllr Ahmed and Son to mark the re-opening of St. Pancras Station.
15th Jan – 26th Feb 2010, Guest of Labour Friends of Bangladesh (LFB) Private fact-finding trip to Bangladesh- Economy return flights, hotel, transport etc approx £1,200 partly sponsored by Canary Wharf Group PLC
27th May – Guest (Box Ticket) for Cricket Match between Bangladesh and England approx £100.
A month in Bangladesh?? Shurely shome mishtake….
Free tickets for Eurostar for the opening of that well known Tower Hamlets terminus, St Pancras International….
A corporate box for the cricket…., but as a guest of whom?? I think we should be told!
But the most intriguing fact of all is his new job at Camden Council, which is led by fellow Labour Friends of Bangladesh supporter, Nasim Ali – who, according to his own declarations, also attended the same Lord’s test match in a corporate box. Funnily enough, Nasim and Ohid were also on the same “fact finding” trip to Bangladesh in February: see here.
If anyone knows what job Ohid does at Camden, where and when the job was advertised, and how he was selected, can you please drop me a line….?
Trial by Jeory 
I had a lot of respect for this blog, but ever since Lutfur was DEMOCRATICALLLLLLY chosen by the people to be Labour’s candidate, it seems as if you are very bitter and looking for every little excuse to brandish him and his supporters as shady and untransparent characters. I actually voted for Lutfur specifically becuase it seems like Labour didnt want an ethnic minority to be Mayor. Lutfur should also thank Andrew Gilligan because I think that helped his cause as well.
It is perfectly normal for those that help an election candidate win to get a senior position in the executive e.g. Peter Mandleson was rewarded with First Secretary of State after he helped to keep Gordon in power following a failed coup, Obama’s Axelrod and Gibbs are in senior posts in the Obama administration.
As far as his jollies go, Im surprised he hasnt been on more!
Thanks Jayson. I presume that one of the reasons you respected this blog was because it puts politicians hoping to wield enormous power in this borough under the spotlight. Now Lutfur and his team are so much closer to achieving those positions, I’ll continue in that vein. Other Labour victors would have received similar scrutiny.
You say you’re a Labour member so I bow to your knowledge and to your fears of Labour racism. However, aren’t you committing the very sin of which you accuse others, namely voting for Lutfur solely because of his skin colour? Seems a touch patronising, that. What about his policies….on overcrowding, for example?
As for pork barrel politics, I’m glad you agree that those backing Lutfur will expect something in return. Are you saying they shouldn’t be scrutinised? I received a slightly disturbing phone call from someone in Lutfur’s camp this afternoon. I was told that Shiraj Haque was upset with me, that I shouldn’t mess with him and that Shiraj’s people are asking “what’s has Shiraj done to upset Ted”? Here’s the answer: nothing.
However, Shiraj is a powerful player in Tower Hamlets politics and as such he has to realise that it’s not just the politicians who get asked questions. Ask Lord Ashcroft.
Thank you for your response Mr Ted, which I appreciate very much.
Lutfur’s skin colour: of course I considered other things, but I couldnt ignore the patethic attemps of Labour to stop Lutfur even standing. Im proud to say we live in a vibrant and multi-ethnic society. Andrew Gilligan’s witch hunt also played a part in my decision. If Labour decide not to confirm Lutfur as Mayor (as I understand it Labour can still impose a candidate) then it’ll be a sad day for democracy.
I have no problems with you scrutinising those helping Lutfur, and well done for keeping us informed. And of course people helping Lutfur should expect something in return (that’s life my friend), but what purpose is served by looking at what Cllr Ohid did back in 2007? And I dont see you scrutinising the backers of the Lib-dems or Cons?
I should also point out that from my experience, it’s a small world. You make it out as if Cllr Ohid should never had spoken to Nasim Ali. As a journalist, you should know that when at a reception/ function you’ll often see the same people. NB: Tony Blair’s old flat mate, our good friend Charlie Falconer was rewarded with the post of Lord Chancellor, not to mention Charlie’s predecessor who was Tony’s tutor at Oxford. Not to mention the fellow Old-Etonians and good family friends Cameron and Osborne, who both reside at No 10 and 11 Downing Street respectively.
Keep up the good work Ted.
Actually Ted, I agree with the last comment. So what if someone goes to a cricket match? Have you read the papers lately? The press are not exactly in a position to lecture politicians about standards these days; unless you’re suggesting that Camden pay Ohid to hack everyone’s phones and emails.
Dan, just as not all MPs were guilty in the expenses scandal, neither is it the case with all journalists.
Don’t you want to know who gave Ohid a £100 hospitality ticket…and why? There is a reason why elected politicians are required to declare such things.
Basically, Can anyone, obviously, who has bascially, well obviously, ever seen Ohid basically speak, bascially imagine just how obviously, basically just how obviously many times he would have obviously used the words ‘Bascially’ and ‘Obviously’ during his interview basically?
That shows the quality of Ted’s blog, the fact of the matter is speaking eloquently in English does not mean someone is very intelligent. It is just a language. Look at George Iacobescu CBE or Jim Ftizpatrick twang. I don’t think this is fair comment from Shireen (men or women, fake or true) and also surprise about the standard of this blog, who read this anyway.
What Shireen failed to tell people that Cllr Ohid Ahmed is one of the most educated, has most work experience and Political (cabinet experience) amongst all others? This is what makes him special. Cllr Lutfur Rahman rightly mentions his political skills. He leaded a successful selection campaign that gave Lutfur Rahman same numbers of votes which all other six candidates together had. Lutfur Rahman will be the Mayor but Ted and Andrew should just wait and see.
This is not new that Ted or Andrew always single out Muslim’s upcoming politicians. Ted should understand Cllr Ahmed is honest that is why he declared every hospitality he received. Ted should know the full fact before he write against anyone, there were so many local councillor (cross party), local Mp and others went to watch the match between England Vs Bangladesh.
Ted,
This post has been drawn to my notice.
I have never heard of Ohid Ahmed, although scanning the Camden email list it appears he is an employee of ours, but not a particularly senior one.
As you know from our previous discussions, I respect your values, but I wouldn’t extrapolate Tower Hamlets issues to Camden based on your post – different issues, different politics.
Cllr Theo Blackwell
Cabinet member for Finance
Cllr Theo,
don’t notice Ted, he is against Labour and particularly muslims. His newspaper previously wrote saying Leasdie rewarded by giving him a job once he became a councillor but the fact of the matter was he started the job 1 year prior to he became a councillor, few month back same newspaper published a letter against Cllr Ahmed and than withdraw the letter next day when he challenged, don’t waste time talikg to him. You would notice he wrote about 2 Bengali politicians but didn’t write anything about white politicians including local MP who also went to watch cricket match between England vs Bangladesh. Ted and his colleague doeasn’t want people from a section of the community to be successful in job, politics or in other field. Best prescription is don’t pay attention to him.
I’m neither against Labour nor Muslims and that you choose to raise the issue of race and religion says more about you, I would say. I think I’m one of the few journalists living in the borough who is actually trying to exercise some scrutiny over those wanting a pretty powerful job. Would you rather I didn’t do that?
It irritates me to have to write this, but perhaps you should talk to Michael Keith, John Biggs, Jim Fitzpatrick, Marc Francis, David Edgar, George Galloway, Denise jones and many others. All those have been the subject of my scrutiny, either in the Advertiser or on this blog. All at some stages have complained to me, sometimes in pretty strong terms. Why can’t you accept that Lutfur and the man he singled out for special praise in his acceptance speech, Ohid Ahmed, should also be subject to a similar level of scrutiny. In fact, both Lutfur, whom I’ve also praised in the past, and Ohid have previously welcomed that.
Don’t worry, other candidates will also be subjected to future posts, but clearly as Tower Hamlets is so strongly Labour, it’s only right they receive special attention.
If you look into the activities of the Canary Wharf Group plc, Mr Jeory, you will find that they have funded a very large number of councillors and politicians from both Tory and Labour parties on jollies to Bangladesh, including Westminster Tory MP Mark Field and wealthy banker and Tory councillor/parliamentary candidate Tim Archer, both of whom have more than sufficient private funds to afford to pay their own fares.
That you focus in on this case as part of your crusade against ‘islamicisation’ instead of the antics of rich Tory bankers speaks volumes about your descent into the gutter press of the Telegraph, Mr Jeory. Show me where you have been equally critical of all three major parties with their snouts in the trough of free beanos and I’ll begin to take you more seriously.
If you were more familiar with my work, Prinkipo (and I thought you were a little, actually, if I rightly recall some of your comments at Socialist Unity), then you’d know I’ve often written about the activities of Canary Wharf Group and its relationships with Tower Hamlets politicians. If not, I recommend you spend a day down at Bancroft Road History Library (which was saved by a campaign driven through by the East London Advertiser after winning over the support of Lutfur Rahman).
There you’ll see a whole stack of articles and columns written by me containing such criticisms. You’ll also find pieces critical of the Lib Dems and the Tories. There are fewer of those, however, because they’ve not been in power in Tower Hamlets since I’ve lived here.
On your other comments, particularly those about “crusades”, see my reply to Ash above.
Would you not like to hear how and why Ohid secured a trip to Paris with Eurostar, given that St Pancras International is not in Tower Hamlets, but actually Camden? Or is he exempt from answering that because he’s from Labour?
Paris trip: Cllr Ohid is a Cllr in London. I could understand your query a little more if he were a Cllr from the West Midlands. London is a small place and i’m sure residents of Tower Hamlets do wonder into train stations now and again… we may live in a deprived Borough but we do prefer to leave it’s boundaries now and again.
But I do respect your attempts at scrutiny… it’s the thought that counts.
Jayson, why would Eurostar decide to offer a little known councillor in Tower Hamlets free tickets? Isn’t it right that elected politicians be expected to explain how they come across such freebies? Were they offered to him out of the blue by Eurostar or some other party, or did he ask for them, either directly or indirectly? And was there any understanding that he do something in return? As I said, there is a reason why politicians are expected to declare such gifts.
He is welcome to come on this site and explain.
Yes Ted I am familiar with your work as you are well aware, and knew that you were probably had deep insight into the fact that Tories as well as Labour people had their snouts in the trough of corporate sponsorship by the Canary Wharf Group. It doesn’t take a great deal of research or nouse to discover that.
So, my question now is why you chose to highlight this particular case as if it were an exception rather than standard practice in Tower Hamlets, and why you didn’t bother to mention the fact that plenty of other Labour, Tory and even Lib Dem people associated with Tower Hamlets also like their “jollies”?
As you are also aware of my own views, you will know that I certainly have not much time for the Labour Party, but the fact that councillors go on “jollies” is a widespread problem of all three mainstream parties particularly in Tower Hamlets, not just one associated either with Labour in particular or specifically with supporters of Lutfur Rahman’s mayoral candidacy.
It is therefore remarkable in one way that your article focussed entirely on this aspect. Certainly I look forward to your next article in the Express about how wealthy Tory bankers and elected Tory representatives of the people, have been enjoying their own “jollies” as big business sponsors them to attend “fact finding” visits to far off countries in an attempt to influence their political decisions. They may not be in power in Tower Hamlets, but they are certainly running the government with their cabinet of millionaires not affected by the daily grind of ordinary people. Good luck with getting an article past the Express group editorial team and its owner and pornographer. No doubt you’ll be telling me the owner does not interfere in editorial policy, so maybe you’d like to put that to the test? With 2 million unemployed you would not be alone if it backfired.
Well, you’re beginning to touch on some of the reasons why I started this blog. But.
To answer your specifics. Firstly, it’s only your assumption that it was Canary Wharf Group which proffered the hospitality to Cllr Ahmed. Probably a decent assumption, but it wasn’t declared in the register.
Why do I highlight it now? Because I’m trying to scrutinise those politicians currently hoping for power after October 21. Neither the Tory candidate Neil King, nor the Lib Dems’ John Griffiths are in elected positions. The very essence of a directly elected mayoral contest is that it focuses attention on those individuals.
As for Express articles, I have written about the foreign jollies of politicians of all parties. Annoyingly, you probably need a ‘cuts’ research system to find them, though, rather than rely on the website.
As you ask, here are the declarations of interests for the leading Tory councillors on Tower Hamlets council.
Peter Golds
Tim Archer
Sorry I meant Express not Telegraph. Still gutter press so no surprise I confuse them.
Every time we try to have a discussion about something, the agenda keeps on getting hijacked by the race card. I respect Ted for scrutinising people who will most likely be running this borough for the next 4 years, unchecked.
As a card carrying BANGLADESHI MUSLIM Labour member, I did not vote for Lutfur. This was for principally 3 reasons:
1. I do not like the people and groups supporting him
2. Lutfur has historically worked against the Party (I know for a fact)
3. He is one of the protagonists who prevent change in the politics of the Bangladeshi community by perpetuating fear and voting by association rather than policies.
I do think the media. And particularly Andrew Gilligan had a hand to play in Lutfur’s selection but we need to look closer to home. It was the Labour Party that made him a pseudo-hero by blocking him. If in the first shortlist the 7 final candidates were shortlisted there would have been a vey different result.
Don’t get me wrong, I am under no illusion that there is no racism but I just think we need to look more globally, not just at journalists who are trying to investigate, what some of us already know. Take “special measures” for example. We have been under SP for years due to membership “irregularities”. There are only 1300 or so party members. A part time consultant for a couple of weeks could easily get to the bottom of who are legitimate and who are not. Yet, this has not happened, why? One can only speculate but I’m sure it’s got to do with keeping the Banana Republic under control.
Scrutiny is important, and the last couple of posts have been great revelations. Let’s not pull the race card everytime someone of one colour criticises one of another. Race is the problem in Tower Hamlets, it’s the White elephant, so let’s be grown up about it, deal with it and move forward, otherwise we will be here when my daughter is old enough to join the Greens!
How much has Ted paid you for this post? I wonder if journalists have a register of interests… hmmm….
NB: i do understand your point.
Lobby journalists do, as it happens.
here…http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmjournl/journl/memi03.htm
This is the problem Jayson. We all so cynical we can’t think outside our interests. Lutfur won on the platform “do you want racists to get in”. On the other hand, Andrew Gilligan would be shouting that Islamists are in! We can’t win. By shouting racist everytime, we remove ourselves from other natural allies i.e. Tower Hamlets residents who actually give a damn about the borough. All of whom share a common interest.
The saddest thing is, bangladeshis are still generally voting for bangladeshis and white folk are generally voting for White candidates. I say generally because obviously there are a minority who vote across and I mean no disrespect. But this is still where we are…
[…] Ohid Ahmed’s job at Camden council Just a quick update to this post on Lutfur Rahman’s campaign manager, Ohid Ahmed. […]
Lutfur the Islamic Fundamentalist I don’t buy – that never really fit right when Gilligan painted it that way – but Lutfur the opportunist, oh yes.
Lutfur Rahman is about to control a nearly billion pound budget so its right that Ted Jeory put him under scrutiny. We are lucky that he is interested in what goes on in the borough – a good muckraker is invaluable.
Buzz Lightyear,
I feel more optimistic about the race issue in TH.
Many thousands of white people voted for Rushnara Ali (and other Bangladeshi candidates), many thousands of Bengalis voted for Jim Fitzpatrick. I agree that most people of TH share a common interest, they shouldn’t and luckily don’t operate only according to supposed ‘white’ or ‘Muslim’ interests despite the fact that some political parties (BNP, Respect) urge them to do so. I hope we can go forward to a more sophisticated politics that we’re surely going to need as we face the cuts that are coming.
I was referring to our own selection election that just passed where I thought it was sad how people voted and the reasons behind their votes. In elections people do historically rally as shown in the last election and I agree we’ve come a long way. BUT, we haven’t come far enough. And my best example is right now… We’re still talking about it.