Bodrul Islam, the community activist who ran into the arms of Respect after Jim Fitzpatrick walked out of his wedding last year, has a wonderful way with his soap box oratory. He really holds nothing back. Last month, he used his Facebook page to voice his fury at Lutfur Rahman for not singing the praises of the organisation that Bodrul claimed propelled him into office: the Islamic Forum of Europe.
In that outburst, he also promised to spill the beans on the full extent of the IFE’s work in Lutfur’s campaign. Bodrul said he had intimate knowledge because he was there all the way. Tonight, again on Facebook, he has started to paint a fuller picture of what he says went on.
Here it is (as at 12am, Dec 28):
Here goes guys, the truth about the mayor’s camp, his supporters and the organisations. As a polling agent and co-ordinator for the elections, I had an insider status in his camp.
This is pathetic. Shame on you. You are capable of so much more. Deal with issues, policies. This is not worthy.
Oh come now, David. Could you explain. Don’t you put much store by Bodrul’s insights? Weren’t you a regular commenter on his Facebook page during the election campaign? Didn’t you praise and encourage him? And I know that from our previous contact you had deep concerns about how council policy in planning and in other areas was being devised and influenced by groups and interests with their own agendas, so aren’t you intrigued by what Bodrul offers up on IFE and London Bangla?
You have a good point. I am intrigued by Bodrul, for various reasons: it is just that once again I feel that you are taking a one-sided view of things that are getting ridiculous. And sometimes, I feel, unintentionally offensive. Does having a meeting with someone mean you are affiliated with them? That you are a member of their organisation? What of Abbas – he has had more meetings with IFE people than Lutfur. Does that make him an extremist also?
Guilt by association is a dangerous concept.
Bodrul is, I fear, also falling into a trap which some unworthy people will misuse.
Criticising Lutfur’s competence on the basis of an unnamed source having a quiet word with you with no facts behind it is also ridiculous.
Much of your work over the years has been fantastic. Invaluable. And amusing. So let’s tackle issues, policies, corruption based on reality not just personal bias and rants – fun though they can be. That is all I ask.
Happy New Year, and keep up the (mostly) good work!
Thanks, David. There is no one-sidedness; Lutfur, not Abbas, is in power and serious questions have been raised about how he achieved that and what he will do with it. He has pretty much always refused to address these concerns. Some do not trust him; they feel he says one thing to one group in private and then another in public. I suppose that’s a kind of “shock horror, a politician is disingenuous” dog-bites-man story, but for Bodrul, it is not. He maybe many things, Bodrul, but he does seem to be consistent with his principles and he appears angry to have been, in his view, double-crossed.
This is why Bodrul’s comments are important: he was an inside witness to events. And as those events included one of the most disgraceful adverts to have appeared in a British “newspaper”, then they cannot be ignored. Bodrul’s comments on this issue and another thread on his Facebook site, in which he criticises Lutfur’s decision to buy a £600 iPhone on the taxpayer and then his refusal to answer questions on it, have now been deleted. It’s a good job that they were published here.
There is no bias. Lutfur simply refuses to answer questions. As a communications expert, David, do you think he is helping himself?
Thanks for your praise on my previous work when I questioned Lutfur’s predecessors in power – that’s all I am doing now; was I one-sided then?
Andy Happy New Year to you, too!
cuddint agree more with David!
But this psychochap Bodrul who may have just entrapped himself for deep heat rub from all quarters now has secrets to share about galloway’s pet mayor Lutfur, which will be interesting because we’ll find out the truth behind abbas’ wife beating allegations. Mayor Lutfur may face suspension and possibly even imprisonment if he is found to be behind londonbangla’s distasteful journalism
Though mr donoghue is right that this cut and paste journalism by ted carries no journalistic qualities except lazy weekend online shopping for news released by the dispossesed and disaffected ex lutfur fan mr bodrul who thinks this is his claim to fame!
There are those of us whop read this blog from time to time and are not directly involved in TH politics who find this detail fascinating. How and what influence IFE / ELM have on the political life of the borough is very relevant.
Firstly I echo fighting4edmiliband’s comment that any connection shown between Lutfur’s election campaign and London Bangla’s smearing of Abbas could have very serious legal ramifications for the Mayor. If he was to be suspended, just suppose, what would happen- who would be left in charge?
I for one do think we need to know more about the relationship between the IFE, Respect and Lutfur Rahman. This relationship may well shape his policy as mayor and this needs to be examined.
It was after all the strongly suspected links between Lutfur and Respect/IFE which were among the main reasons for Lutfur’s eventual removal as the Labour party candidate for Mayor of TH. At the time Lutfur denied having the sort of relationship with IFE/Respect that is now being shown to be the case by Bodrul Islam.
It is of no surprise at all to learn that Lutfur was working closely with Respect and IFE AFTER he decided to run as an independent. After all, for a man so hungry for power once standing alone (as an Independent) he had little choice but to accept help and take votes from just about any quarter he could. It was an obvious recourse for him to cosy up to Respect/IFE in the Machiavellian world of Tower Hamlets politics.
But what Brother Bodrul’s Book of Revelations do not show is the relationship between Lutfur Rahman and IFE/Respect BEFORE he decided to run as an Independent candidate, e.g. while he was Leader of LBTH Council or while he was campaigning within the Labour Party to be the Labour Party candidate for Mayor. This issue is crucial.
Was Lutfur collaborating with Respect/IFE while he was still a member of the Labour Party?
For me, the real elephant in the room, the unspeakable topic, is this: Is there anything intrinsic about the IFE in either their ideology, aims or methods that makes IFE membership incompatible with Labour Party policy and values. If the IFE is purely a Muslim community organisation doing charitable work in Tower Hamlets then that is one thing.
However, if the IFE is a neo-fascist political organisation which supports the creation by force of an un-democratic global empire called a caliphate, gives a platform to hate filled people who encourage acts of terrorism and promotes social views that are at odds with Human Rights and the long fought for civic freedoms held in this country by women, sexual minorities and Liberal Democrats then IFE membership must clearly be at odds with core Labour Party values and membership of both is impossible.
Something else I’m interested to know is how much of the IFE political agenda do the Trostkyite members of Respect sign up to – or is there simply an agreement to disagree? When I have attempted discussion of this topic with members of the SWP wing of Respect I’m usually met with a paranoid and defensive reaction followed by attempts by them to change the subject and keep their heads buried in the sand. Surely a religiously inspired global empire created with and ruled by force is at odds with generally understood Marxian philosophy and isn’t this surely the contradictory “Achilles Heel” at the heart of both Respect and George Galloway?
I really like Mr Folgate’s “Brother Bodrul’s Book of Revelations’s”!
At the same time I await with bated breath as to what the revelations are. I fear that, until I see something really shocking, like much hyped magazine covers, there’s not a lot in them.
Ted, looks like you scared Bodrul away, you should have waited for the meat of the story. He was about to reveal all for the 2nd time. hopefully he does.
As a Labour Supporter I have to say, all respect to Bodrul Islam, I have disagreed with him many times, but one thibg is fore sure, he will not back down and knows where his principles are, if all were like him and stuck to one party.
How come Cllr Helal Abbas has not done anything about this statement?
How come Andrew and Ted did not write about this? is it because this is not about Lutfur Rahman!!
“When I have attempted discussion of this topic with members of the SWP wing of Respect I’m usually met with a paranoid and defensive reaction followed by attempts by them to change the subject and keep their heads buried in the sand” says James Folgate.
One wonders what he means since the SWP left Respect during an acrimonious split in 2007. Either James is referring to conversations he had several years ago and pretending they are current or perhaps he’s just making it up.
I don’t make things up! What I mean is that Respect is fundamentally made up of two main groups, the IFE (and its allies) and a divided group of left-of-Labour socialist organisations sometimes going as SWP, other times as Left List or Left Alternative, et c.
I am aware of the SWP/Respect split in 2007 but not all of the “SWP” people (and I use this in the broadest sense) departed from Respect or were even paid up members of the SWP and many of these people who are not formal members of either Respect or the SWP still campaign for Respect at elections. Some of these people (many whom are not members of the SWP or Respect but campaign for Respect at elections meeting regularly in Bethnal Green and it is with these people whom I have spoken and to which I refer.
My point is that there is a contradiction at the heart of “Respect” because, at the end of the day, the IFE and the SWP (be they Left List, Left Alternative, London Socialist Alliance, and former members but still active campaigners) have very different ideologies and long term ambitions. Respect is a marriage of convenience made for electoral gain between these two wings that ultimately have deep and irreconcilable differences; one being socially conservative, reactionary and a religiously orientated protest movement while the the other wing is a loose alliance of generally Trostskyite and revolutionary social liberals. The two wings are drawn together by a shared opposition to recent wars and mutual animosity towards “the establishment”. Beyond that, they are about as different as politics can get.
This so called Lutfur’s agent Bodrul who is an unknown entity may have revealed some interesting facts if only this article hadn’t scared him away for good!
I think all of the candidates met up with IFE including Abbas, Keith, John Biggs-so no big surpise there. I’ll be worried by Lutfur’s policies if it becomes more ‘muslim friendly’ or IFE friendly. If not than Bodrul just discovered something many know. What I dont understand is why suddenly his so upset, was he expecting something from the mayors camp? would be good to know
Lutfur either needs to deny all knowledge of that evil domestic violence campaign and condemn it or never show his face in public again.
The BBC-sacked Andrew Gilligan in his Telegraph blog has also not long ago given coverage to this rather disturbed and little known disaffected chap Bodrul, however, one must conclude that this is a tragically mighty fall for Mr Gilligan from covering the likes of the world-renowned warmonger, Blair!
Islamic Forum of Europe’s Response to the Statement of Helal Abbas
This is a response to the ‘Statement of Helal Abbas’, signed and dated 17 September 2010,
and only deals with the allegations against, and references to Islamic Forum of Europe (IFE).
We are led to believe this ‘Statement’ was prepared for the Labour Party National Executive
Committee (NEC) and formed part of the dossier used to remove Councillor Lutfur Rahman
as the Labour candidate for the directly elected Mayor of Tower Hamlets.
The Statement, now in wide circulation and reported in the Bengali media, in its quest to
discredit Cllr Rahman makes a number of allegations which IFE totally refutes:
“12. It was when he became Council leader that I began to suspect Luthfur [sic] Rahman’s
involvement in the Islamic Forum of Europe (IFE). This is a fundamentalist organisation
which is gradually infiltrating the Labour party… Some of his actions led me to believe that
he was being influenced by the IFE. Hira Islam, a Team Manager with the Council was seen
to offering and negotiating positions on Luthfur [sic] Rahman’s cabinet. He is a prominent
member of the local mosque and is suspected of being a member of the IFE. I challenged
Luthfur [sic] Rahman about this saying it was improper to meet Labour councillors with
someone who had a prominent role in the local mosque. That individual Hira Islam, was
also an officer of the Council and should not be interfering with the political process. For
me that was the confirmation of Luthfur [sic] Rahman’s links with IFE… He has never
clarified the position on record nor has he ever disputed his links with IFE.”
For the record, Cllr Rahman is not and has never been a member of IFE. According to the
logic used to establish Cllr Rahman’s links with the IFE – it is Cllr Abbas who arguably has
greater links to IFE. Cllr Abbas often met privately and publicly with IFE, and even
introduced his then protégé Cllr. Rahman to IFE. Contrary to his recent statement, Cllr Abbas
met with IFE during the selection process for the Labour mayoral elections, and has even
sought to meet with IFE after his imposition as the Labour candidate for mayor.
The real question is when exactly did Cllr Abbas decide that the normal duties of senior
councillors, to engage with community groups and attend their events, are a sinister affair?
Moreover, why did Cllr Abbas meet with IFE recently if, as he claims, IFE is a sinister
‘fundamentalist’ organisation? The ‘fundamentalist’ label will be seen by all as the political
opportunism to discredit his former close Labour party associate Cllr Rahman.Cllr Abbas mentions here that he ‘suspects’ Hira Islam is a member of IFE, perhaps
deliberately to give the impression of IFE being a sinister or a banned organisation. This is
despite knowing very well that Mr Islam is, and was affiliated to IFE – and Cllr Abbas
acknowledges this in paragraph 24.
What Cllr Abbas conveniently fails to mention is that Mr Islam is a long-standing and
prominent member of the local Labour Party. As for Mr Islam’s questionable role, as we
understand it, he allegedly performed a similar role for Cllr Abbas before Cllr Rahman
became council leader. The double standards to now complain of the impropriety of Mr
Islam’s alleged actions is quite incredible.
“21. As I have indicated Luthfur [sic] Rahman is associated with the IFE. I can’t prove that
Luthfur Rahman is a member of IFE but, whilst he was leader, grant aid was moved from
secular groups to IFE linked groups. IFE is a Muslim fundamentalist organisation. It is
sophisticated international operation. The organisation acts like the Freemasonry. It is a
secretive organisation which has no constitution and no accountability and which seeks to
influence public bodies. It is based at the East London Mosque but it has cells in most
British cities. It has alleged links with banned political groups in Bangladesh including
Jamaat e Islami. Members of this organisation in Bangladesh are in prison for incitement.”
The obvious contradictions and conspiracy theories in the above statement are clear and
should normally be ignored, however due to the current position of the [conspiracy]
theorist, we are obliged to respond.
To some, anything resembling a competent or organised event would look ‘sophisticated’.
Nevertheless, personal lacking and inadequacy is no justification for wild accusations of
masonic organisation and ability. Common sense dictates that an established community
organisation must have bank accounts to operate, and banks do not open accounts without
a constitution. It goes without saying that IFE is a properly constituted community
organisation.
Contrary to the myth peddled by some, IFE is not based at the East London Mosque – it is a
rent paying tenant in the Business Wing of the London Muslim Centre. The use of the word
‘cell’ (a pejorative term normally used for terrorist organisations) to describe IFE branches is
disgraceful.
As someone who was previously closely linked to IFE, Cllr Abbas knows that IFE does not
have any links to ‘banned’ organisations. If he has any evidence of IFE wrongdoing or
criminality he has a legal duty to forward them to the appropriate authorities – and we urge
him to do so without delay.
IFE is an independent British-based community organisation; our primary focus is the issues
and concerns of British Muslims and the wider community. We have no interest in the local
politics of Bangladesh.
IFE believes that British Muslims must be model and active citizens, and has been promoting a
balanced message of Islam, often finding itself at loggerheads with fringe and extreme groups. IFE members and volunteers were among the first to assist the emergency services to support the
victims of the 7/7 bombing in Aldgate.
“22. IFE’s real aims are to take over influential organisations to use positions to promote
it’s [sic] view of Islam. I believe that it is funded by the Saudi government. The only two
Mosques in London that the Saudi government has put any money into are the Mosque in
Regent’s Park and the East London Mosque”
IFE has never received any funding from Saudi Arabia or any other foreign government. Cllr
Abbas clearly has a lot of explaining to do. If indeed he has a problem with the Regent’s Park
Mosque and East London Mosque receiving Saudi funding, he needs to raise this with the
Charity Commission, explaining exactly what law they have broken.
“23. In my opinion, Luthfur [sic] Rahman has been brainwashed by fundamentalists in IFE
and they are using him for the purposes of entry into the Labour party.”
If Cllr Abbas concludes that Cllr Rahman has been brainwashed by IFE, using his own logic
and insinuations – it would seem Cllr Abbas’s greater links to IFE is evidence that he (Abbas)
must be even more brainwashed by IFE. It is plain for all to see the ridiculousness of these
assertions.
It seems Cllr Abbas has adopted the entryism narrative which can only further marginalise the
Muslim community – if Muslims do not engage in the political process they are labelled as
isolationists, and when they do engage they are accused of entryism. IFE does not support any
political party; it does however encourage its members and the wider Muslim community to engage
in the political processes, including joining mainstream political parties. There is nothing sinister or
abnormal about this.
“24. Hira Islam, whom I have mentioned before, is a prominent member and it was he who
was driving Luthfur [sic] Rahman around to visit other councillors to make offers of
political position.”
How is it possible that when Mr Islam does what is alleged for Cllr Rahman, Mr Islam is an
IFE member – but when he allegedly did the same for Cllr Abbas, he was a Labour party
figure? The internal politics of Labour councillors and members are a matter for the Labour
Party. If there is any wrongdoing by a Labour party member, it is the party’s responsibility to
take the relevant action.
“25. Unfortunately the councillors were receiving these approaches would be too
frightened to come forward to give evidence against Luthfur [sic] Rahman. They are
worried that this is an Islamic Cell that could do serious damage to people.”
It is simply incredible to believe that councillors are frightened to give evidence because of
the threat of violence from an ‘Islamic cell’, which he alludes to. When there is no evidence,
convenient excuses alluding to the bogeyman are often cited.“26. Others have expressed concern about the role of IFE. The former leader of the council
Michael Keith who is an academic, apparently prepared a report on IFE infiltration into the
Labour party three or four years ago.”
Michael Keith has previously worked closely with IFE when he was council leader, and has
even met IFE during the recent Mayoral campaign. Mr Keith has had many opportunities to
raise any concerns during his time in office but has never done so. An ‘apparent report’
which has not been seen by or known to anyone must be considered fictitious. Casual
references to imaginary reports serve no other purpose than to demonise a section of the
community for political gain.
“27. In February 2010, the local MP Jim Fitzpatrick, who was then a Labour minister
publicly criticised the role of IFE. He said that the views of the IFE were totally at odds with
Labour policies.”
Jim Fitzpatrick’s accusations against IFE were not only without foundation and rebutted by
IFE – but he was also criticised by his fellow Labour parliamentarians.
“31. At the general and local elections on the 5 May 2010 there was a vote for the
proposal to have a directed elected Mayor. The Yes Campaign was victorious. It was highly
resourced by IFE. This was obvious by the quality of the publicity material and the sheer
number of leaflets that were produced… It has been mentioned that £100,000 was spent
on the campaign to support a directly elected Mayor…”
If this part is an accusation that IFE funded the campaign, he should make the allegation
clearly and directly. Our lawyers would then be in a better position to sue for libel.
Despite this incredibly misguided attempt by Cllr Abbas to do the Gilligan on IFE, we are
always open to engagement. We will not be deterred by baseless accusations and
insinuations.
IFE is a community organisation that works to bring about constructive social and spiritual
renewal. Through the values enshrined in the Islamic faith, IFE encourages people to be full
and active participants in society, benefiting all people.
Why did Abbas spell lutfur’s name incorrectly?
@ David
Thanks for highlighting this. Amazing to think after all that Abbas sought to meet IFE again!
BTW does anyone know if Siraj (multi millionaire) is a member of the IFE? Would seem at odds if he was!
Bodrul claims to be a ‘key campaigner’ what a twat
There were 119 agents and hundreds of people from the community, including me who were not IFE members!
Its funny how Bodrul turned against Lutfur as I heard he wanted funding for his ‘schooling project in Bow’ and when that did not materialise the friendship ended. Good riddance of someone who was kicked out of Labour first and now Respect. I also hear Bodruls own family members are IFE including his parents who are core members!
Bodrul may need witness protection if he is called by police or court to give a statement on his knowledge of the alleged wife beating allegations against abbas as he claims was perpetrated by Lutfur. May not be a happy new year for the mayor, Abbas, Bodrul or londonbangla I guess. The sun newspaper may approach Bodrul soon with some cash!
Fighting4edmilliband
Witness protection sounds good to me! But let’s not forget the 3 weeks circulation of the Labour newspaper which suddenly disappeared after the elections. All the Bangladeshi students who were paid to distribute them will need protection from….the Party itself probably
“forever hyperactive, impulsive, manipulative and easily piqued” – Yasser Arafat, TIME Magazine, Nov. 12, 2004
Rudy,
What do you expect from a journalist who is there to serve only a section of the people? I am sure if Badrul continue to follow this line soon he will become a best friend of some Labour dodgy politicians and journalists who are paid employee of the Islamic Republic of Iran. I am a strong supporter of Labour and wasn’t surprise by NEC’s decisions at that time but it is about the time that party take drastic actions against those culprit who didn’t only lie (whoever it is, councilors, MP’s etc) for making this mess. I am fed up to hear the word “loyalty” from those dodgy politicians – you don’t want to be loyal to liar or dodgy people, this is against Labour ethos. Anyone involved supporting those crooked them should be punished too. My party is now going to drain because of those culprits, Respect and Tory taking advantage, in past Respect used George Galloway to punish Lutfur (HA, JP, PG may be involved), now they are using Bodrul in very clever way. Lutfur and his colleague proved again and again that they are not respect nor Tory, they are true Labour (centre left may be). I now salute those including TH Labour Party Secretary and 8 councillors who stood up against injustice and established rightness; off course Ken Livingstone, this is what my values and drive for Labour politics. I request Ted to investigate PEG (Peter Gold’s past story as councillor, gossip is that he was physically abusive to his colleague).
Daniel Pasha talks about filthy printing staff, look at the people (HA curry advisor AA, NP) who were involved printing Black mail.
I was forwarded this Respect statement by email:
”
The Tower Hamlets Respect Party issued the following statement today, Wednesday 29th December 2010
The Tower Hamlets Respect Party supported Lutfur Rahman to become Tower Hamlets first elected mayor when he was selected by the overwhelming majority of Labour members in Tower Hamlets to be the Labour mayoral candidate. We did this because he was the best qualified of the candidates with a realistic chance of winning, because we believed he was aware of the failings of past Labour policies and willing to seek to change them when he was council leader and because he had been the target of a vicious witch hunt which pandered to anti-Muslim racism and ignorance.
We reiterated that support when Lutfur was unjustly barred from standing for Labour by Labour’s National Executive Committee after they were presented with a scurrilous “dodgy dossier” which Lutfur was not allowed to refute with just three days left before close of nominations.
The Respect Party then welcomed enthusiastically Lutfur’s overwhelming victory in the mayoral election. This was a victory so large it demonstrated beyond question the breadth of support that Lutfur had built up over years both across the Bangladeshi community in Tower Hamlets and within all the other communities which make up Tower Hamlets rich, multicultural life. In particular, the scale of his victory confirmed that it was not based on the support of any one organisation or community in Tower Hamlets, despite the best efforts of some to try to reduce Lutfur’s support to such a narrow base.
We are now committed to working with the mayor to fight the disastrous cuts imposed by the Condem government, as we made clear in our recent victory in the Spitalfields and Banglatown ward by-election.
None of this means that we have agreed in the past with everything that Lutfur has said and done. We have not. Indeed we have been the most vehement and effective critics of both the Labour government and the Labour council in Tower Hamlets. Nor will we hold back from criticising and opposing Lutfur’s policies in the future if they are against the interests of the residents of Tower Hamlets.
But we are mindful of the fact that, instead of celebrating the election of the first directly elected mayor from an ethnic minority, there are those in the Labour party and other parties and in the media who wish to carry on the witch hunt against Lutfur by pandering to anti-Muslim prejudice and racism. This prejudice and racism is also being targetted against organisations within the Muslim community who are a valued part of that community and who carry out many good and constructive initiatives within the Muslim community. We welcome the recent report from the University of Exeter “Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Hate Crime” which confirms the perspective we have in Respect on these matters.
The Tower Hamlets Respect Party therefore views with dismay some comments made in recent weeks by one of our former candidates, Bodrul Islam, on Facebook. We note some of these comments have been picked up selectively in the media. We wish to make it clear that these comments do not in any way reflect opinion in the Respect Party. They are solely the opinion of Bodrul Islam who is no longer a member of Respect. We very much hope that Bodrul will reconsider the wisdom of posting these comments which have caused offence to many and which have been exploited by those who do not have in their hearts either the interests of democracy or of the communities in Tower Hamlets.
”
Ends
Thanks, Amin. Well stated. ‘Nuff said. Let’s move on.