A couple of weeks ago I made a formal complaint to the council about my job as a reporter being hindered by the frequent use of Bengali in the council chamber.
The press are there to report these proceedings to the people who pay for them, the taxpayers and voters in the wider world. But when some councillors switch from English into a foreign language (usually to barrack each other), it’s not only rude to the viewing public and against all rules of government conduct, it also renders those parts of the proceedings secret and inaccessible to all but a few. How on earth, for example, are full and accurate minutes meant to be recorded when not everything is understood?
I’m amazed that councillors have not been warned before about this by the likes of Isabella Freeman and the head of democratic services, John Williams. So the reply to my complaint will be interesting.
As it happens, someone else has complained, albeit for slightly different reasons.
At the full council meeting on April 17, we had one of those regular periodic bouts of uproar and outrage. Labour’s Abdal Ullah was on his feet making a point about something not terribly noteworthy when all of a sudden a word was hurled his way that made him lose his characteristic cool.
He alleged that Lutfur’s close friend, Cllr Ghulam Robbani, called him “Shurer batcha“, which means a “Son of a Pig”.
I’m told this is highly derogatory for Bengalis and Muslims at the best of times, given that pigs are haraam in Islam. But Abdal had not long returned from an Umrah to Mecca–as had Robbani, Mayor Lutfur Rahman and several others sitting nearby.
Robbani shook his head at the accusation but I’m told that Lutfurite councillor Maium Miah said he heard it, as did Ohid Ahmed and the Speaker, Rajib Ahmed. Even Lutfur sympathised with Abdal, I understand.
The following week, Abdal wrote to Robbani to say his “offensive outburst” had been “entirely unbecoming”, and that he had insulted his late father. He demanded a public apology both to him and his family by Friday, May 3.
He heard nothing.
I suspect he’ll be lodging his compliant with the Standards Committee within days.
Trial by Jeory 
Ted, this article says it all about the lutfer “administration” and the continuing disgrace being brought to the little part of the East End. Abdul seems to be a good guy who I saw recently at a public meeting. While the deputy mayor and so called council offercers huddled in a corner speaking or talking/texting on blackberries- Mr Ullah was warmly talking to people across the many communities that make up this funny old place called Tower Hamlets. I also understand that members of the public also shout out remakes in Bengali during council. This must now end. Is it a time that a police officer is placed on duty during full council to protect our democracy?
I think the last thing we need is a police officer enforcing democracy.
The chief legal office seems a bit distracted at the moment! However, I do take your point ted 😀. How would one suggest that we clean up what is in effect the seat of local democracy?
Vote for decent councillors. And tell your friends and neighbours to do likewise.
There is no effective way to clean-up anything purporting to represent the peculiar English version of alleged democracy. It has to be replaced wholesale.
Ted moans about foreign languages during a meeting of The Council but there is nothing in the council rules (officially known as The Constitution) prohibiting the use of foreign languages during proceedings of the Council and its committees.
If anyone in LBTH really wants to have an effective go, it would be to challenge in the High Court by means of Judicial Review LBTH’s failure to provide simultaneous translations into English for the majority of participants and audience and the minute taker.
Allowing millions of foreigners to come to England but not insisting they are fluent in English or helping them become fluent in English is simply stupid. Incomers should also be taught English customs and English and European history.
The LBTH circus is the tip of the eventual devastating iceberg.
ALL the councillors should demand an immediate change in the council’s Constitution that ALL meetings of the council shall be conducted in English and that foreign languages shall not be used. Simple but have any of the buggers the guts to do it ? I suspect not. This is the London Borough of Bangladesh and the council is the Bangladeshi People’s council.
Democracy is dubious/fragmented/fragile in Bangladesh and also in LBTH.
Isabella Freeman, head of legal, should be offering this advice, to conduct meetings in English, to the council which employs her. I wonder if our mate ‘An Observer’ will agree with me and give us his/her knowledgeable opinion.
Its getting worse day by day.
CC.
What we need here are the proper public officials reminding Mayors and councillors of what is required in terms of behaviour while on public business. That’s their job.
After all – no councillor wants to be thought to be of as having their “snout in the trough”
see http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/have-get-your-snout-in-the-trough
Instead what we have is the public official who is responsible for the Council’s Standards Committee (last time I looked) is currently “suing the Council” – see https://trialbyjeory.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/isabella-freeman-sues-tower-hamlets-council-but-judge-says-her-case-is-feeble/
Where exactly does that leave accountability for the standard of councillors’ behaviour in LBTH?
Who exactly do we, the Council Tax Payers, appeal to in order to bring back a semblance of proper behaviour into the conduct of public business in this borough?
Eric Pickles?
Pickles? Don’t be ridiculous – the biggest snout of them all.
His department has spent over £200,000 (!!!) on jollies abroad (!!!) since 2010.
Quite why the local (!!!) government ministry needs to go abroad is beyond me.
http://order-order.com/2013/04/26/local-governments-217130-on-foreign-travel/
This of course is in addition to his department spending £10,000 per year on biscuits.
Another glimpse of the cronyism and racism.
About time all council proceedings were not only videod, but broadcast live, including the audience.
Brilliant. It would quickly replace all prime time television.
Absolutely agree. How can that proposal be brought in? Could the council agree (to filming) by majority or does it depend on Lutfur, who obviously won’t want it. Would Labour support it?
As an addition to my comment, I think members of the public can film/record meetings themselves, I recall that measure was passed some time ago…can we check?
http://moderngov.towerhamlets.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=23558
Turn up at the next full council meeting with HD video camera’s simple really, good few gig SD card and enough batteries, hide the fuckers and start videoing as soon as the meeting starts, refuse to leave, if enough of us did it, we’d remove these scumbags within a matter of months.
Its about time we had an alternative video news media in this borough
Scrounger’s excellent suggestion about covertly videoing the proceedings is good. Be aware that the buggers will probably call the police if you are seen recording, refuse to stop and don’t delete the content.
In your favour is the obvious fact that Parliament just down the road has allowed recordings for years, this is a truly PUBLIC MEETING and what is Tower Hamlets unlawfully trying to hide from the public they are accountable to ?
Miniature cameras, 2″ x 3/4″ x 1/2″ (5 x 1 x 1.5 cm) are effective at recording both video and sound. They need a micro SD card and have internal batteries charged by a USB lead. They are impossible to detect at a distance. At close range they will be missed if the other person is not aware of the camera. Fat pens with pin-hole cameras perform the same function. Not as good as HD TV but certainly watchable. Excellent back-up cameras to record the council heavies and police trying to evict someone for filming a public meeting.
I like the idea of Tower Hamlets Public TV. – the council clowns daily nightmare. Imagine an interview with the deputy mayor over his £140 taxi journey.
CC.
Made in Bangladesh | Thames Shore | The only Way is Tower Hamlets | Embarrasing [Public] Bodies |
I think Mulberry Place could win a BAFTA
Embarrassing Public Bodies – I think you’re on to something good there!
My spelling mistake wasn’t deliberate, but seems appropriate.
Rest assured when Cllr Lesley Pavitt is elected Civic Mayor and Speaker all of this nonsense will be dealt with. No more screaming, shouting and swearing in the council chamber. A lot of this behaviour happens because the speaker cannot control what is going on.
Yes, that would be v interesting to see.
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