Further to my post here about Anwar Khan’s criticism of his fellow Labour colleagues, I’m told he’s now been sacked from the group’s shadow cabinet.
Tower Hamlets Labour has issued this statement:
“Following his press statement in December Cllr Khan was relieved from his Shadow Cabinet post as we felt that his actions were not compatible with remaining a Labour spokesperson. His comments were disappointing, but there is no conspiracy to try remove him from Labour group. We have reminded Cllr Khan of the need to meet the high standards set out in the Labour Party rules and will take appropriate action should he further break the rules he signed up to when he became a Labour councillor.”
And they have also sent these quotes to me:
A London Regional Labour Party Spokesperson said:
“The Labour Party has raised the bar and is determined to put the best possible team of candidates before the people of Tower Hamlets in next May’s Borough Council elections.
“As with selections in all London boroughs, council candidate hopefuls in Tower Hamlets went through the most rigorous selection process which was overseen by London Regional Labour Party.
“Those who fail to meet the higher standards required to stand as Labour Party candidates will be understandably disappointed. However, we believe it is unacceptable that Anwar Khan appears to be using legitimate concerns raised publicly about his own behaviour in an attempt to blame others for his deselection.”
Leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Sirajul Islam, said:
“Whilst the selection for council candidates is an issue for the London Labour Party I am proud to be part of a talented and united party which has selected candidates from all backgrounds and walks of life.
“I am sure that Cllr Khan’s claims are entirely baseless and are clearly motivated by personal frustration at his legitimate deselection. Whilst it’s sad that he chose to make these unfounded accusations, I and my colleagues remain focused on winning back the Town Hall to help build a better future for Tower Hamlets. ”
I’ve also now obtained Anwar’s witness statement to the council’s “independent investigation” into his dispute with a parking warden. Once I’ve checked a couple of points, I’ll publish it. It makes for fascinating reading.
One point to note here though: Lutfur’s group is very keen to use this fallout to portray Anwar as another victim of another Labour injustice. There has been contact between the Lutfurites and Anwar over all this.
It’s the budget setting meeting of the full council next month and Anwar’s vote could be crucial to Labour getting it’s majority. If he’s intent on inflicting maximum damage, he could easily cross the floor. He could also abstain.
I have to say, it’s interesting that the other councillor to have been deselected, Mizan Chaudhary, has so far remained silent. Quite a contrast.
Trial by Jeory 
Noteworthy how in every press release issued by Labour Group on council policy, Biggs is now quoted alongside the group leader.
Yet the one time the issue is actually related to his campaign he’s nowhere to be found.
Surely that’s due to the classic PR mantra used by all leading politicians?
“Don’t stoke the fire you’re trying to put out!”
Plus the important protocol issues which are:
* Anwar linked his deselection to John Biggs whereas the process is actually determined by the London Regional Labour Party. No scope for John Biggs to comment.
* It would be much more unusual if the Leader of the Labour Party wasn’t the spokesman on the occasion of the sacking of a Shadow Cabinet Member. Inappropriate for John Biggs to comment!
Everybody suffers disappointments – it’s how you handle them that most accurately describes the character of an individual.
Maybe this is the part of Anwar’s career where he learns why it’s a good idea to develop good interpersonal skills and sound relationships with your peers if you want to get on in life?
Looks to me like he certainly needs a lesson in when it’s best for all concerned – including himself – to keep your head down and your mouth tight shut.
In relation to a possible defection – I wonder how many more “grandstanding egocentric me, me, me” ex-Labour Councillors one political group can handle without a major falling out.
There again – maybe that’s Labour’s secret strategy?
I think all politicians should have a maximum two term limit. Major benefits for everyone in that, especially the community.
What another charade of ‘crap’ from all poisonous walks of Labour here in Tower Hamlets, not forgetting those London regional hypocrites!
‘high standards set out in the LP rules’?, ‘rules he signed up to when he became a Labour councillor’?
I would be interested in Ted asking them to clarify just exactly which clause of the rulebook they make reference to here, or are they just another set of divisive ‘ad-hoc’ rules ‘Chris Weavers’ has once again churned out?
“The Labour Party has raised the bar and is determined to put the best possible team of candidates before the people of Tower Hamlets in next May’s Borough Council elections.” I am sure any sane person would agree with this statement against the deselection of the likes of literate English speaking councillors Anwar Khan and Mizanur Chaudhury, whom apparently ‘failed to meet the higher standards required to stand as LP candidates’ VS the likes of Ex-Respect Mamun, Khales and a few others who cannot even string a sentence together.
And finally, Leader of the group, Cllr Sirajul Islam reinforces a pre-written statement from none other than John Biggs himself no doubt, attempting to legitimate what any fool they expect us to be, would realise is far from a ‘legitimate deselection’. I think Carlo’s previous comments designed or redesigned to ‘stitch-up’ others are pretty much founded accusations, once again aimed at working against Bengali/Muslim councillors who do have the ability to speak their mind, rather than be a clone of Sirajul Islam and his ‘Yes Sir, No Sir, Three bags full Sir’ brigade.
Will they ever learn? I also hear that Councillor Shahed Ali is still locked into a court battle with the Labour party in his claim of race discrimination? This is certainly one to watch!