The atmosphere at Tower Hamlets Council is now so poisonous, and in some quarters overtly aggressive, that it risks undermining the borough’s bid to attain City status in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year, I’ve been told.
Commander John Ludgate, the Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London for Tower Hamlets, whose role includes representing the Queen at civic events, is, I hear, deeply concerned about how the antics and the ugly behaviour of certain councillors play out in the public arena. Apparently, he thinks Tower Hamlets has a decent chance of winning the competition but the nastiness at council level risks ruining it.
He was sitting on the dais at last night’s full council meeting which again descended into an unattractive farce as a row erupted between the chair of the council, Cllr Mizan Chaudhury and Mayor Lutfur Rahman’s sidekick, Cllr Alibor Choudhury.
The argument has been brewing for some time. Mizan is a Labour councillor and he gets to wear the ceremonial robes and chain. His role was formerly entitled civic mayor. Although its name changed to chair when Lutfur became the directly elected executive mayor, the role has remained the same.
The chair chairs council meetings – supposedly independently – and represents the council at various civic and non-political functions, and greets important visitors, including the captains of foreign ships.
However, since his election last year, Lutfur has had a bit of mayoral envy. At the same time as spending £120,000 upgrading his own suite of offices and splashing out £75 a day hiring the luxury Lutfumobile, he first shoved Mizan into a shoebox office, then banned him from holding a cost-free welcome bash for dignitaries, and then a couple of weeks ago he removed the car was being used for ceremonial duties (a story run by the Evening Standard but not, bizarrely, by the East London Advertiser, which is increasingly referred to by councillors as East End Life Lite for its minimal coverage of the borough’s important politics).
Mizan has been clearly riled by these decisions and last night, former small m mayor Doros Ullah spoke to the chamber in his defence. He said he was dismayed by Lutfur’s behaviour. This produced an angry response from Alibor, who does seem to be ever so angry and borderline aggressive these days. As Alibor threw accusations at Mizan and as Mizan lost his cool and forgot his independent role, all hell broke out in the public gallery where one man hurled what must have been a particularly insulting insult in Bangla or Sylheti which caused his eviction from the building. (Those unfamiliar with Tower Hamlets Council meetings should be aware that turning up without any knowledge of Bangla or Sylheti puts you at a serious disadvantage, particularly when councillors start switching from English in the chamber itself).
The meeting had to be adjourned to allow everyone to calm down but the ill feeling remained.
This constitutional wrangling between the two mayors is understandable in some ways. I can see that Lutfur should wish to be seen as the borough’s main man, particularly as the civic role is held by a political enemy who might quietly wish to undermine the elected executive. But both boys really need to grow up and have more respect for the history of the office.
The role of the civic mayor is meant to be dignified and impartial. In Newham, elected mayor Sir Robin Wales wears the chains but I think it would be a mistake to go down that route because that only serves to inflate over-inflated egos.
I think the solution lies in Hackney, which also has a directly elected mayor. There, the former civic mayor is known as the Speaker and that seems to be a perfectly appropriate and sensible title. It also more accurately sums up what the holder of that office actually does (most people can surely relate it to the Speaker of the Commons). In another area where Hackney beats Tower Hamlets, its council’s communications department clearly defines what the Speaker does on its website. See here.
It is clearly wrong that the ceremonial representative of the borough has to travel to events with what Doros Ullah last night described as the “most beautiful chain in London” in a black cab. Not only that, it’s an insult to those attend such functions for whom the visits are often really meaningful and welcome.
Lutfur needs to rise above such pettiness and show some leadership. Last night, Alibor tried to argue that the decision to strip Mizan of his dignity was justified in an era of cuts. But that won’t wash when Lutfur spends so much on himself and when the savings aren’t that great anyway. The decision just makes them look silly.
The pair of them need to acknowledge the bitterness is bad, agree to a formal change of title from Chair to Speaker, and Lutfur needs to reinstate the car and a decent sized office for the Speaker’s guests.
Such a decision would also please Commander Ludgate, not only because it would shower Tower Hamlets in a more grown up light, but also because he would no longer have to get the DLR home after civic functions….Mizan used to give him a lift.
Trial by Jeory 
I think both having an elected mayor in Tower Hamlets and going for city status are a waste of time, energy and money. Living in London a city, having the Cities of London and Westminster all but on our doorstep is enough. Give it to a town that has grown in size. Every London borough is as “deserving” of the title as us.
The title has gone to Mizan’s head. Whenever he puts on that gold chain it’s like he morphs into Mr T. It would have been far more in character if he told Cllrs to ‘shut up fool’ as so many of them are. I would encourage Cllrs to support someone who is independent impartial and well respected like Cllr Lesley or Cllr Carli next time around. If you put a careerist in the job how do you expect Mayor Rahman to act? He’s hardly going to roll over and allow that little upstart to steal his thunder is he.
I think you’re right on renaming the position but for formal events I think the chain should be worn by either the Executive Mayor or the Deputy Mayor. We can’t afford all this fluff.
As the role is meant to be above party politics, I don’t think it’s appropriate for an Executive Mayor to wear the chain at formal events. And particularly not the current deputy who I suspect likes the gold rather too much.
”I think you’re right on renaming the position but for formal events I think the chain should be worn by either the Executive Mayor or the Deputy Mayor. We can’t afford all this fluff”
A Lutfur ”sidekick” would make this sort of comment. The best bit was about Mizan being a careerist lol. Whatever his views on issues he is a man of principles with so much guts. If only previous civic mayors were able to be as impartial as him. And you think by including two Labour names people would not knoa yopu are a Lutfur supporter lol. The point hear remains why is the ego inflated directly elected executive mayor undermining the civic office? Because he is really after the gold chain and people are concious of this. As the elected leader he should of been leading by example.
”However, since his election last year, Lutfur has had a bit of mayoral envy. At the same time as spending £120,000 upgrading his own suite of offices and splashing out £75 a day hiring the luxury Lutfumobile, he first shoved Mizan into a shoebox office, then banned him from holding a cost-free welcome bash for dignitaries, and then a couple of weeks ago he removed the car was being used for ceremonial duties” Totally agrree with Ted here – all explained to the point.
The Evening Standard on 12 Sept said that Chaudhury had written a series of letters to Rahman, saying in one: “By stopping the civic reception you will achieve nothing and time will prove that. You have stooped to the level of the gutter and that is exactly where you belong.” The article added: ‘Rahman also cancelled an annual function organised by Chaudhury, despite the civic mayor claiming he had arranged his own funding.’
Curious as to what ‘Chaudhury arranged his own funding’ means. He couldn’t have paid for this civic reception/annual function/welcome bash himself, could he? So he had arranged for funding from somebody else? Who or what was the source of his funding? Anyone know?
Expect only the venue then would have been your “cost-free” element Ted, if the reception has to be at Mulberry Place. (If not there maybe he got a good deal at Rich Mix, as a Board Member, or….oh no…not the Water Lily….?!)
The Evening Standard article highlighted an important issue and that was that the directly elected executive mayor was clearly abusing his powers – I am not surprised that Mizan has made those sort of comments (quoted by anon-no-more from ES) – he has been clearly pushed around from day one of taking office. Atleast young man Mizan had the courage to challenge the establishment of it’s wrong doings and the misuse of power by Lutfur, which is not clearly right and cannot be justified.
”However, since his election last year, Lutfur has had a bit of mayoral envy. At the same time as spending £120,000 upgrading his own suite of offices and splashing out £75 a day hiring the luxury Lutfumobile, he first shoved Mizan into a shoebox office, then banned him from holding a cost-free welcome bash for dignitaries, and then a couple of weeks ago he removed the car was being used for ceremonial duties”
The above clearly highlights where the underlining issue is and it’s nothing to do with the budget, if you take into account Lutfur’s other costs and where they are really all going.
”Curious as to what ‘Chaudhury arranged his own funding’ means. He couldn’t have paid for this civic reception/annual function/welcome bash himself, could he? So he had arranged for funding from somebody else? Who or what was the source of his funding? Anyone know?”
Maybe Chaudhury was going to pay from his pocket or some local restaurant would of provided the food for free. The issue is not who was going to pay for the civic function, but it was going to be a cost-free event for the council and Lutfur abusing his powers to undermine Mizan and most importantly over hundered years of traditions of our Civic Office. A real shame! And how could we forget and why do we not talk about how Lutfur’s election was financed. And his pre-election bash at the Troxy – I am sure that event alone costed £8000-£10000. Comapred to that amount it would be good to know if people really want to know how much it would of or how the civic funtion was going to be financed – it’s an irrelevant point here.
In a series of letters seen by the ES, Mr Chaudhury writes to Mr Rahman: “As you and everyone else are fully aware, the civic office is an important element of any council’s function and carries over a hundred years of tradition of serving the people of its borough”
“What I don’t understand is why you are trying to undermine the traditions and functions of the civic office? You may be the Directly Elected executive mayor, but there should be a limit to abusing your powers” It’s absolutely wrong of Lutfur to abuse his powers to undermine the Civic Office just because he has something personal with Labour or Mizan. I personally think Mizan was absolutely right in highlighting this issue, a brave man I must say!
Sorry Bosh, but the funding is not irrelevant. If Mizan had arranged funding from say, News International, then that makes it relevant. Even if he dipped into his own (obviously very deep) pocket or got a very amenable local restaurant (which one?..not on Brick Lane??) to fund it, then it would still be relevant. The source could even be reallocated council funds!
As a Tower Hamlets resident I just want to look this gift-horse in the mouth… sorry, “cost-free event for the council”.
The funding issue is irrelevant as the story covered by Ted is not about that. However, as you are trying to divert the story I will give my take on the issue you have raised.
Firstly, I think the civic event if it did go ahead and whoever payed for it the cost for the food would of been no more than a £1000, and that is because the maximum people that would of been allowed to attend the event would of been no more than 200 as I believe that is the cap for health and safety reasons. Now 200 x £3.50-£5.00 per person = maximum £1000. If you add drinks to it maybe another £150-£200, so final cost no more than £1200. I am sure Mizan has a good job and would be able to afford to pay that some from his income or savings – not exactty deep. Now lets compare that to £8000-£10000 – now thats very deep. Made my point.
Your next point ”The source could even be reallocated council funds!
As a Tower Hamlets resident I just want to look this gift-horse in the mouth… sorry, “cost-free event for the council”.”
As a Tower Hamlets resident it is important that you know how the council functions since adopting the Mayoral system. Apart from the direclty elected executive mayor no one else has any say, so even if individuals, officers or councillors wanted to reallocate council funds it is just not possible as the system only allows Lutfur to misuse his powers and he is quite good at doing that as we know.
Good article Ted! Hate saying it, but it is!
You’ll learn to love me one day, David!
Ted – there are 3 mayoral chains belonging to Tower Hamlets? The one worn by Mizan Chaudhury being the diamond-encrusted Bethnal Green chain? The other two chains are from the former Metropolitan Boroughs of Poplar and Stepney.
The ELA wrote about the 3 chains last February when Cllr Lutfa Begum (as the Deputy Mayor) took the Stepney chain to Bangladesh:
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&pnum=3&refresh=Fp70f21A1sL8&EID=37b8b9ad-6768-414a-b7aa-180a38f20a60&skip=&p=3
Wondering what will happen to the other two Mayoral Chains now?
TH Council does not specifically insure any of the three chains – at least they didn’t last year. The ELA article says that a council officer or a driver is meant to accompany any of the chains when they leave the lock and key ‘safety’ of Mulberry Place.
”Ted – there are 3 mayoral chains belonging to Tower Hamlets? The one worn by Mizan Chaudhury being the diamond-encrusted Bethnal Green chain? The other two chains are from the former Metropolitan Boroughs of Poplar and Stepney” Well done – correct!
”The ELA wrote about the 3 chains last February when Cllr Lutfa Begum (as the Deputy Mayor) took the Stepney chain to Bangladesh” Wow! You are getting good at this! That was correct too lol
”Wondering what will happen to the other two Mayoral Chains now?” Oops! So you don’t know, but let’s use common sense here. The Chair wears one, the deputy chair wears one and one is used by any councillor during Citizenship Ceremonies at the Bow Registrar Office.
”TH Council does not specifically insure any of the three chains – at least they didn’t last year” Lutfur told must of told you that and you believed him lol
”The ELA article says that a council officer or a driver is meant to accompany any of the chains when they leave the lock and key ‘safety’ of Mulberry Place” Correct and that is exactly what happens, or suppose to happen. When Lutfa Begum was Deputy Mayor take a guess, if you don’t already know, who was the Leader of the Council then? Yes – Lutfur Rahman! So under his leadership council policy was broken back then, and as teh public now knows he continues to break policies as the directly (s)elected executive mayor
@Bosh, seriously? you must be kidding. I dont know lutfur personally nor do I know Mizan, but come on, I was there last wednesday at the council meeting and as CHAIR he should of chaired it fairly and not take cheap jibes. Why was the nutcase bill turner given more chances to speak and whenever someone else wanted to say something the lovely chair abruptly got invovled… The labour lot esp former greener meaner Ullah got very personal with his comments, then the chair, when one of the independent lot tried to challenge him, the Chair jumped to Ullah’s defence… again, PERSONAL attacks… how many times do they cuss out the Mayor but he doesnt say a word then they complain why is he so silent… ok yeah he is silent but seriously, what would u reply back when people are so rude and they ALL call themselves Cllrs..
. I swear I was so friggin ashamed to have voted for those lost. Apart from a few, the rest of them are TAINTED and damaged goods…. sad really!!!!!
”@Bosh, seriously? you must be kidding. I dont know lutfur personally nor do I know Mizan” Lol that line gave it away that your an associate of Lutfur, also because you were at the last council meeting as most people that go there, since having the elected mayoral system are hired associates of the directly elected executive mayor. And they are known as ”the rented crowd” who clap away, even when Lutfur or his cabinet members fart, regardless of what the issues are about, if it stinks or not, right or wrong, correct or incorrect and understand them or not, a-fart from that there’s not much to add there really.
”I was there last wednesday at the council meeting and as CHAIR he should of chaired it fairly and not take cheap jibes” The chair did it fairly (and impartially) and that is why he stood his ground when Lutfur’s ”sidekick” made an allegation against him. That was because it was a tactic Lutfur’s camp used so they could avoid answering the petitioners and to the public as to why they were undermining the civic office and taking away the cheapest option of travel for the chair. Lutfur for sure was exposed that day of his incompetence and personal grudge against Labour, but why at the expense of us taxpayers!
”Why was the nutcase bill turner given more chances to speak and whenever someone else wanted to say something the lovely chair abruptly got invovled…” Obviously because Lutfur’s ”sidekick” was trying to disrupt and bully him, and he does that with everyione. All counillors have the same time to speak without the disruptions, and you should know that by now as a regular council meeting attendee.
”The labour lot esp former greener meaner Ullah got very personal with his comments, then the chair, when one of the independent lot tried to challenge him, the Chair jumped to Ullah’s defence…” Again it was clear when the ”sidekick” was given an ”upper cut” by Ullah, the ”sidekick” then turned to his bullying tactics, but it didn’t quite work as the chair wasn’t having any of that.
”again, PERSONAL attacks… how many times do they cuss out the Mayor but he doesnt say a word then they complain why is he so silent…ok yeah he is silent but seriously, what would u reply back when people are so rude and they ALL call themselves Cllrs..” The rudest is the ”sidekick”. Talking about personal attacks, that is all Lutfur’s camp have been doing since taking charge of the council. Isn’t it obvious why the mayor is silent? What exactly does he have to say? Does he actually have any policies of his own? A-fart from spending us taxpayers money on his office and cronies? When he has paid puppets to do it why would he talk anyway, not that he could even if he wanted to? Your guess is as good as mine lol
”I swear I was so friggin ashamed to have voted for those lost. Apart from a few, the rest of them are TAINTED and damaged goods…. sad really!!!!!” Possibly you voted for Lutfur and his ”sidekick” and there is no harm in being honest when it is obvious where you belong.
I suggest that our councillor Mizan choudhury, does a bit more of his work, which he was elected for than standing up to the mayor, us locals in his ward, would like to see him standing up for us, the guy is hardly around, does a bit of his surgery and thats the last we see of him for the week. comes across as someone who is in politics more for personal gain than of others, and this case exactly highlights that.
”I suggest that our councillor Mizan choudhury, does a bit more of his work, which he was elected for than standing up to the mayor,” Give the young man a chance, he only got elected last year and hasn’t done bad at all, in fact doing a good job. Anyway your view is not the view of majority of the people in his ward, they are actually proud to have a councillor like him, who is straight forward and to the point. Lets not forget against all odds he got elected in that ward and with the highest votes, although he was from the neigbouring ward. That clearly says something. People trusted him and in anyway he has not broken their trust. Mizan is the only person, until now, who is courageous enough to stand up to the mayor, unlike others who only suck-up to the mayor for their own gain. One of the reason Lutfur is giving Mizan a hard time is because Mizan would not suck-up to him and Mizan is has never been a suck-up artist. And that is what makes him different. Councillors do not have any powers to do anything apart from making enquiries on behalf of their constituents. You should really be approaching the mayor if you want any major work done in ”your ward”.
”us locals in his ward” Looks like you have self appointed yourself as the spokesperson of the ward. I very much doubt you even live there, but I am quite sure you are part of Lutfur’s camp, so are trying to undermine Mizan.
”would like to see him standing up for us, the guy is hardly around, does a bit of his surgery and thats the last we see of him for the week.” People that know Mizan would know he would not walk around in his ward randomly just to show his face around so people ”think” he is doing some work. He does not operate like that. Approach him and see if declines to help with any of your issues. If Mizan was able to do more he will, but you have to understand the coucnil functions differently now. We have a directly elected mayor who has the sole power to make decisions and deliver goods, and that is exactly why he was elected by the public and not councillors – so it doesn’t make sense why are you are having a dig at Mizan.
”comes across as someone who is in politics more for personal gain than of others, and this case exactly highlights that” I don’t think you know Mizan personally. He didn’t stand for election as the Chair of Council to win, but stood to make a point that everyone should be given an equal platform. I suppose God was on his side as he was not suppose to win. What harm has Mizan done to you personally. You and everyone should be proud of him, that he has done well since only being elected last year. We promote young people and when they make it and do well we take them down and label them differently.
I do like Mizan, he’s got guts… but this whole episode is denigrating what should be a respected civic office. That said, the denigration was not started by Mizan, but by Lutfur, and it is he who should now take a step back.
That said, I think the office of ‘civic mayor’ (or whatever it ought to be called under the current arrangement) should be regarded as an enormous privilege conferred on an elder councillor for a lifetime of work and achievement…. not a political sausage to divvy out as a prize for loyalty. Mizan is far too young. He’s great, but he’s too young – not yet 30!
The ‘civic mayor’ should be a charming old man with a white beard who is not going to get drawn into vigorous politics and can rise above it… a bit like David Donoghue really. Pity he’s not on the council.
”The ‘civic mayor’ should be a charming old man with a white beard who is not going to get drawn into vigorous politics and can rise above it… a bit like David Donoghue really. Pity he’s not on the council” This is stereo typing. Mizan maybe the youngest Civic Mayor to be ever elected to TH Council, but certainly not in the UK. Councillor Craig Wilson, who last year was the youngest civic mayor in the UK, from Whitland Town Council and he was only 22 years old. Also another councillor, Ian Campbell of Retford, Notts, was also mayor last year at the age of 23. Councillor Sean Parker-Perry was the youngest ever civic mayor in Greater Manchester at the age of 30 in 2006. I think Mizan was the best choice for TH though and he certainly will inspire other young people to follow suit. But I do agree with you that David Donoghue will make a great councillor and Civic Mayor.
Ted – Can we have a post on East London Pride?
Yes please, Ted: as an echo to anon1, can we have a post on East London Pride? (Dave Hill’s already done one, so we would appreciate one from TH-specialist-Ted! Perhaps all three Mayoral chains were on the march – fabulous!)
I was in glorious Liverpool so wasn’t in TH to report on it.
Bosh – or should I say Mizan’s party planner – yes, £1,000 is the same figure as I have now heard the catering being costed at for this shindig. What you don’t account for however is the venue cost and you say :
Which venue, Bosh? Which one has a cap of 200 for health and safety reasons? And which one was going to be “cost-free” for Mizan and the local Labour Party (who were going to ‘alternatively fund’ this)?
Mulberry Place? I’ve been to an (old-style) mayoral do at Mulberry Place and the venue/reception room was on the top floor. Is this the venue you mean? (Seemed too small for 200, but maybe not?)
So you must tell us Bosh, was it to be free Mulberry Place as the venue? Fine, that would be “cost-free”, and as usual for these receptions.
Otherwise residents could speculate that the Chair of the Council and/or TH Labour Party members get freebies at the Water Lily…or even the Troxy!!…and surely not the council’s Rich Mix as we paid £29 million for that (and counting) and we would like to see even a few coins returned to the public purse with what is plentiful and dedicated “venue hire” at the Rich Mix.
Being an inteligent man in disguise don’t emabarass yourself.
That was the whole point – why wasn’t the Chair of Council, the First Citizen of the Borough not allowed to hold the civic reception in the town hall, where it rightly should be held and as aways has been.
”Mulberry Place? I’ve been to an (old-style) mayoral do at Mulberry Place and the venue/reception room was on the top floor. Is this the venue you mean? (Seemed too small for 200, but maybe not?)” Yes the same venue – at last you got something right lol
”So you must tell us Bosh, was it to be free Mulberry Place as the venue? Fine, that would be “cost-free”, and as usual for these receptions” Lol exactly my point!
”Otherwise residents could speculate that the Chair of the Council and/or TH Labour Party members get freebies at the Water Lily…or even the Troxy!!” Lunn Poly – getaway! If only others were so lucky to get big donors like Lutfur, they might be lucky to get ”donor” kebabs, even that is maybe lol
”…and surely not the council’s Rich Mix as we paid £29 million for that (and counting) and we would like to see even a few coins returned to the public purse with what is plentiful and dedicated “venue hire” at the Rich Mix” Did the council really pay £29 million? It must be inside news and only Lutfurites will have access to that – are you sure you are not one of them? lol.
Bosh,
The Rich Mix cost £29 MILLION. And that’s not inside news that only “Lutfurites” have access to.
Ted knows exactly how much the Rich Mix cost and he is hardly a “Lutfurite”…or are you Ted!? Mizan is on the Board of the Rich Mix so he’ll tell you Bosh, how much it cost, and how much it is costing us still.
(Ted, you must write again on the Rich Mix so Bosh gets up to speed with what everyone in this Borough already knows. Actually, that dodgy wallpaper you wrote about Ted – of a man pointing a gun at a woman on her knees in a park is still up there. Suppose that would put paid to any “welcome bash for dignitaries” being held by Mizan “the Chair of Council, the First Citizen of the Borough”…etc etc…at the Rich Mix.)
Bosh, when you are not costing up the catering for Mizan’s parties, you keep on lauding this man. He only got the majority votes of other TH Labour councillors (yes?) Big deal. He’s hardly Clem Attlee either. Oh….you’re not the “friend of the Chair” whom Fokrul tweeted about to Ted who stood up and hurled insults from the Public Gallery and then was ejected?
Does Mizan Chaudhury really need all your efforts when you say he is such a “brave man”?!! The man who gave his letters to the Evening Standard and thus started all this. So “brave” bringing personal pique into the public arena. Humiliating for Tower Hamlets. Commander John Ludgate must have seen the Evening Standard too, and the story printed there (and spread all over the world via the web). This has caused far more damage to our reputation than the antics in our council chambers.
Rich Mix, now there’s a contradiction if ever there was one. Rich Mix my arse. It is the biggest financial folly since the introduction of councillor’s allowances.
@anon-no-more
”The Rich Mix cost £29 MILLION. And that’s not inside news that only “Lutfurites” have access to. Ted knows exactly how much the Rich Mix cost and he is hardly a “Lutfurite”…” My question was did the COUNCIL really pay £29 million? And you failed to answer that.
”Mizan is on the Board of the Rich Mix so he’ll tell you Bosh, how much it cost, and how much it is costing us still” If the council pumps in more money to the Rich Mix it will be an executive decision taken by the directly elected executive mayor
”Actually, that dodgy wallpaper you wrote about Ted – of a man pointing a gun at a woman on her knees in a park is still up there” I am asuming the wall paper is in the Rich Mix somewhere? And if that is the case you have just admitted without realising that you do go to the of the Rich Mix to use it facilities, and there is nothing wrong with that, but why be a hypocrite!
“welcome bash for dignitaries” being held by Mizan “the Chair of Council, the First Citizen of the Borough”…etc etc…at the Rich Mix” Lol you are losing the plot and it’s not the first time, but I must admit I was wrong when I said previously that you are an inteligent man in disguise – I take that back lol
”Bosh, when you are not costing up the catering for Mizan’s parties, you keep on lauding this man” Because Mizan is to be praised – what he has done no else will ever be brave enough to do. Anyway, I repeat, the story is not about that, but about abuse of power by Lutfur. Read the whole story again if you are not sure and most importantly my previous responses to your comments and views. How many times are you going to embarass yourself. And If you think by undermining Mizan you will get a job out of Lutfur then dream on, unless his promised you already lol
”He only got the majority votes of other TH Labour councillors (yes?) Big deal” Oops! So you have something personal with Mizan, your jealous and it’s becomeing obvious, otherwise why should it be an issue who voted him in and obviously it will be Labour as they have majority of the councillors lol Doh!
”Oh….you’re not the “friend of the Chair” whom Fokrul tweeted about to Ted who stood up and hurled insults from the Public Gallery and then was ejected?” No, but if the word ”Alibor” is an insult than that is what the guy shouted out from the gallery and it was loud and clear. So what exactly does Alibor mean if you were to translate that to English – not ”sidekick” for sure lol
”Does Mizan Chaudhury really need all your efforts when you say he is such a “brave man”?!! The man who gave his letters to the Evening Standard and thus started all this” He is brave and by doing that he has proved that. And by him doing that everyone knows Lutfur has misused his powers and started all of this.
”So “brave” bringing personal pique into the public arena. Humiliating for Tower Hamlets” Lutfur misused his powers to undermine the Civic Office and Mizan exposed him – nothing personal there. People that know Mizan are aware he is a man of principles and has a great heart. He will not pick on anyone unless he is picked at first and that is how the young man operates – the fair way. I assure you it wasn’t humilitating for Tower Hamlets, but was for Lutfur as he was exposed, so need to worry about that lol
”Commander John Ludgate must have seen the Evening Standard too, and the story printed there (and spread all over the world via the web)” I am sure, knowing how he operates, Mizan wanted the whole world to know that Lutfur is misusing his powers and he made sure that happened.
This has caused far more damage to our reputation than the antics in our council chambers” Not at all – the only person that this article damaged was Lutfur as he was the one that got exposed. Well done to the brave Mizan!