Mr Jones also said he could not comment now because the report was confidential. The QC suggested Mr Hussain's breaches of the Member Code included: Mr Hussain gave evidence he did not know who was buying the toilet blocks because the purchase was through a company name, not the name of his friend. There is no evidence Mr Hussain "obtained any advantage" and Mr Jones was a "passive bystander", said the QC, It is likely confidential information was shared by Mr Hussain with his son Azeem Hafeez before Mr Hafeez submitted a bid for the former coroner's office, the day before the property was advertised by the council, It is alleged Mr Hussain "persuaded" the council to seek to a buy a strip of land, which he knew was owned by his son - who also previously worked for the council - and the relationship was not revealed, The QC also said Mr Hafeez "appeared to have done nothing" to declare his interest as an employee or Mr Hussain's son, which allegedly breached Section 117 of the Local Government Act 1972 [on disclosure by officers of direct or indirect pecuniary interests] and the council's Officer Code of Conduct and meant "disciplinary action" was required. In her resignation speech at Tuesday's cabinet meeting, she claimed "old white men" in her party "wanted to go back". The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Princes End: Gulshan Tabassum *standing in Wednesbury South and replaced by Susan Eaves. The new candidates also include Nagi Daya Singh in Rowley, a local shopkeeper who is understood to be in his mid-80s. suspended by the Labour Party following allegations she posted anti-Semitic tweets. (Image: Julian Saunders) A Sandwell councillor has been suspended from the Labour party after an . a complaint had been made to Labour officials accusing Councillor Hadley of making racist comments in a private conversation. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line, Why an Indian comedian is challenging fake news rules, What Europe's royals could teach King Charles. A party spokesperson said: "The Labour Party takes all complaints of racism extremely seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.". More cronyism? Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Current leader Councillor Crompton became Sandwell Council's fourth leader in 18 months when she took over in July last year on an interim basis. Councillor Hadley has not responded to requests for a comment. A Sandwell councillor has been suspended from the Labour party after an alleged assault against a blogger. A council leader has accused colleagues of racism, deceit and corruption as she resigned after being suspended over alleged anti-Semitic tweets. I have always been faithful to the Labour Party, but at the moment I have lost my confidence in them.". Councillor Hussain has represented Tipton Green since May 2018, and sits on the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee and Safer Neighbourhoods and Active Communities Scrutiny Board. I have built a family and [a] successful business here.". As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Labour currently dominates the authority, which has been mired in turmoil for years amid numerous investigations and scandals and changed leaders three times in 18 months. It detailed a further two councillors had been placed under investigation, but it is not clear what for. She also claimed millions of pounds had been spent "with little regard to the public purse". Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk, Commissioners may help run troubled council, Labour leader seeks change at troubled council, Council leader resigns for 'personal reasons', Council leader quits accusing colleagues of racism, Council head steps down after election win, Coronation a chance to relive history as people in region remember Queens crowning moment, Latest food hygiene ratings across the Black Country and Staffordshire - with two given zero, Only essential mowing to take place in four Birmingham wards for councils pilot project, Sister sprayed brother with chili and vinegar concoction in long-running family feud, Grass won't be mowed for a month in four Birmingham neighbourhoods, Negotiations underway to secure new police base in north of Dudley borough, Russia launches pre-dawn missile attack on Ukraine, Chaos at port as thousands rush to leave Sudan, Air strikes pound Sudan capital as truce extended. After his resignation, in an email to Labour councillors Mr Eling, who has been a councillor since 1986, said he has "made a few enemies but all my critics can throw at me is personal abuse," the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Although he was not part of the council group, he knew what the councillors were doing day in and day out.. A spokesman for the authority said: We have been made aware of the matter and will be discussing the matter with the member in question. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 5. Labour is going to be on a real sticky wicket this year in Sandwell and this latest cull doesn't really make sense. Sandwell Council leader Maria Crompton, who is defending her Tividale seat at the election, said: Im excited to be going into these elections with such a fantastic set of candidates. Subscribe to one or all notification sources from this one place. Trow had only been in position for a short time, following the forced resignation as leader of Steve Eling, a close ally of local right-wing MPs Tom Watson and John Spellar, who had been suspended . Councillor Melia continued to ask this question, before knocking the phone out of Mr Saunders hand. Last year, several Conservative members, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed there was evidence that minority ethnic members were being bullied, racially abused, and cut out of communications to ensure they were not chosen to represent the Sandwell Conservatives during this years local elections. Subscribe to one or all notification sources from this one place. I was humiliated. Strikes will also take place on the 7th, 14th, and 21st September. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? ", Separately our source went on to claim: I believe Mr Jones wanted to control and label every little thing. Former economy chief councillor Ian Jones and Mr Hussain stood down from the ruling cabinet after investigations began, but both had their suspensions from the Labour party lifted before elections on 5 May. Video, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, sign up for local news updates direct to your phone, Suspected IS chief killed in Syria, Turkey says, Adidas sued by investors over Kanye West deal, UK chip giant Arm files for blockbuster share sale, Air strikes pound Sudan capital as truce extended, Pope urges Hungarians to 'open doors' to migrants, US principal visits David sculpture after nudity row. Jan Britton (inset) As the SKWAWKBOX reported yesterday Jan Britton, the chief executive officer of Sandwell Council - the borough at the heart of the Labour right's West Midlands stronghold - resigned yesterday from his 140,000-a-year position, a week after being placed on 'extended leave' because of what the council termed 'serious concerns'. He was suspended from the party in January for allegedly posting sexist tweets. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Ms Hadley has denied any wrongdoing and claims the tape featuring the comments was doctored. knocked a phone out of the hands of a blogger. The tweets have since been deleted. Tipton Green councillor Ian Jones is unable to stand for Labour as he is currently suspended. A Labour source said that Councillor Steve Melia has been administratively suspended from the Labour Party, pending investigation. He claimed: They fought and argued with anyone from a BAME background, [and] would always belittle their ideas or statements in meetings and out of them. The run up to the 2019 elections in Sandwell was marked by allegations that Labours national office had interfered in candidate selections, amid claims that allies of then West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson had been dumped in favour of Corbynites. Have I given you permission to film?". Steve Eling resigned as Sandwell Council leader on Wednesday, three weeks after his suspension.. A new leader will be formally elected in March and Mr Eling said he will continue to serve his. The council supports freedom of expression and speech and the rights of the press to attend council meeting that are held in public.". Councillor Davies then stood down in July last year after she was suspended by the Labour Party following allegations she posted anti-Semitic tweets. "For the record I am not anti-Semitic. She added: "She [Councillor Underhill] doesn't know the whole story. A leaked report also alleges Mahboob Hussain tipped off his son about the upcoming sale of a Sandwell Council property. A Sandwell councillor and a prominent Labour activist have both been suspended by the Labour Party, the Express & Star understands. On Monday, an official email purported to be from the Conservative party confirmed Mr Kalaris membership was fully restored after a five-month investigation. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the day's top stories sent directly to you. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Councillor Yvonne Davies was suspended by the Labour Party over the allegations. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line, Why an Indian comedian is challenging fake news rules, What Europe's royals could teach King Charles. "It is understood a man in his 60s was assaulted by a man in his 70s following a verbal altercation. Thanet Council leader quit after being accused of 'series of failures'. The BBC has approached Ms Hadley for a response. Councillor Mohammed Yaseen Hussain, who is known as Billa, became the third Sandwell councillor to be suspended by Sir Keir Starmer's party in September. Senior reporter at the Express & Star. Subscribe to one or all notification sources from this one place. A former deputy council leader "interfered" in parking tickets issued to members of his family, a lawyer has found. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Publication of this report has been delayed after legal action by "one of the parties named", the council said, but documents leaked to the BBC shed light on its findings. Political Editor for the Express & Star. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. He claimed the tweets have appeared from a fake account, and that he was the victim of "internal Conservative fighting" set out to undermine, at the time, his leadership position. A Labour Party spokesman said: "The Labour Party takes all complaints extremely seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.". The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Read about our approach to external linking. Councillor Steve Trow, Sandwell. Police told him in November 2015 he would face no action. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. He said in November his arrest "did not relate to the sale or purchase of any former Sandwell Council properties" and he was "considering taking legal action against a number of individuals and organisations". Read about our approach to external linking. It comes amid claims of interference in the selection process by Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC), which former Sandwell MP Adrian Bailey said was having a disastrous impact on local politics. "There has been a culture of deceit and cover up at the council," she said. Last month, Sandwell Council revealed it was hiring an extra member of staff to deal with complaints about elected councillors and there are currently 10 live investigations into the conduct of members. 2023 BBC. The One Way of Bernard Street, West Bromwich will be suspended for the duration of the event. Satpal claimed the actions by Mr Jones had gone back as far as the end of 2021. Sandwell Council is currently on its fourth leader since February 2019, with Maria Crompton taking over this July on an interim basis after Yvonne Davies stood down. In a statement, Mr Kalari said he would be seeking legal advice as well as contacting police and Twitter. There are three independent councillors and one for the Brexit Party. They added another year to their 48 year control of Sandwell council. And Tipton ward councillor Ian Jones, a former cabinet member who has been a councillor for 22 years, has also been suspended by Sir Keir Starmer's party. He also chaired a taskforce looking at the impact of Covid-19 on BAME communities set up by Birmingham MP Liam Byrne, Labour's candidate for West Midlands Mayor. Mr Kalari had continued to protest his innocence and deny the tweets came from his account. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line, Why an Indian comedian is challenging fake news rules, What Europe's royals could teach King Charles. "Sandwell Conservatives does not condone any racism, misogynistic or offensive comments and will continue to work with community groups to ensure that everybody has a home in the Conservative Party," group chairman Connor Jones said. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? 13:26, 10 DEC 2021. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Subscribe to one or all notification sources from this one place. The council supports freedom of expression and speech and the rights of the press to attend council meeting that are held in public.. I am a proud British Indian. On the parking tickets, Mr Hussain gave evidence denying he sought favourable treatment. Read about our approach to external linking. The BBC has asked whether she remains on the council's cabinet but has not yet had a response. She denied being racist saying she never had the chance to defend herself. She accused party members of leaking "these matters to the press" adding that she wished she "could have apologisedfor my historic mis-judgement".. (Image: Sandwell Council) Cllr Eling originally said he would continue to serve as leader of the council until he received advice from the party's. I have never been anti-Semitic. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Im confident that our new, reinvigorated team stands poised to represent our community better than ever before and together we will begin a new, positive chapter for Sandwell.. [3] The leadership turmoil began in January 2019 when then-leader Steve Ealing was among several Sandwell councillors who were suspended or thrown out of the Labour Party by its National Executive Committee. Yvonne Davies went out with a bang, hurling accusations at political opponents in her own party while expressing horror at claims that she held anti-Semitic views. Former Cradley Heath and Old Hill councillor John Tipper, who stood down in 2016, is back as the new candidate for Old Warley. They are councillor Joanne. "This is not the first time the national party has interfered in Sandwell and people are fed up of it. The authority said it had received no complaint about Ms Hadley, who is cabinet member for safer communities, or the recording, when it was first passed to BBC Radio WM in August. Among the allegations she made were, cover-ups over alleged wrongdoing by unidentified colleagues, the misuse of public funds, the use of private emails to hide communications and lies being told to courts. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Mr Singh told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that he felt a large portion of the the attitudes and behaviour of Mr Jones was based on his Mr Singh race, and "pockets" of the Sandwell Conservatives were argumentative towards non-white members. Councillor Steve Melia was filmed during the altercation with a blogger. More corruption? Indian officials wife distraught as his killer is freed, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. She has denied the allegations and claims the recordings were doctored. His case has been referred to the National Constitutional Committee, Labour's ultimate disciplinary body. A Conservative councillor has been suspended over a series of abusive social media posts aimed at deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner among others. He said councillors Underhill, Downing and Davies were all "incredibly hardworking in their wards". The Labour Party said it takes all complaints of anti-Semitism "extremely seriously". I haven't made the decision to go in there, it was the Labour Party. Cllr Steve Eling's decision comes after his party's councillors chose. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. The council has suspended garden waste collections to allow remaining staff to focus on domestic waste and recycling bins. More incompetence? The QC said this meant there was no misconduct issue by Mr Jones. Birmingham Hodge Hill MP accused of misusing public cash. READ MORE:Sandwell's Conservative leader urged to resign over 'distasteful' social media posts. Councillor Underhill, who has been replaced by current Bristnall councillor Elaine Giles, described the selection process as a "farce". The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. As the SKWAWKBOX broke exclusively last month, the leader of Sandwell council in the West Midlands - an ally of Tom Watson and John Spellar in the heartland of the Labour right - was dramatically suspended by the Labour Party after a lengthy investigation. In August, the Labour Party said it took "all complaints of racism extremely seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken". A Labour Party spokesperson said: "The Labour Party takes all complaints of anti-Semitism extremely seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.". Is climate change killing Australian wine? Ward: Rowley Party: Labour Party Kacey Akpoteni. Mr Kalari, a former Conservative leader and councillor, had vehemently denied making a series of offensive messages on Twitter, posted in 2020 and 2021. The council confirmed the incident took place on council property. "I have friends in the Jewish community, the Sikh community, the Hindu community, every community. Cat-and-mouse chase with China in hotly contested sea, Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. "The successes of Sandwell Council and needs of the community are taking second place to internal Labour Party squabbling," he added. 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Ward: St. Paul's Party: Labour Party Shaheen Akhtar. She said she was "saddened and shocked" to have been deselected, adding: "If another woman had given a better interview than me and been selected then I could have accepted it. Responsible for local and national political stories, opinion, comment and analysis. Sandwell Council Thursday 18 November 2021, 10:58am Lucy Kapasi Reporter, ITV News Central Cllr Rajbir Singh has resigned for personal reasons Credit: Sandwell Council It has been an. He has previously dubbed the investigations a "witch-hunt" and disputed the truth of the allegations. A former leader of Sandwell Council has quit Labour, claiming the party was attempting to "bury the truth about wrongdoing" at the authority. Read about our approach to external linking. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. READ MORE:Tipton workers earning just 9.90ph making seats for 700k McLarens to strike over 'pay cuts'. Mr Jones has vehemently denied the claims. Coronation a chance to relive history as people in region remember Queens crowning moment, Latest food hygiene ratings across the Black Country and Staffordshire - with two given zero, Only essential mowing to take place in four Birmingham wards for councils pilot project, Sister sprayed brother with chili and vinegar concoction in long-running family feud, Grass won't be mowed for a month in four Birmingham neighbourhoods, Negotiations underway to secure new police base in north of Dudley borough, Russia launches pre-dawn missile attack on Ukraine, Chaos at port as thousands rush to leave Sudan, Air strikes pound Sudan capital as truce extended. The councillor for Rowley had replaced former Conservative group leader David Fisher who was forced to resign over offensive social media posts. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? While an official statement was not issued, a spokesperson for Sandwell council told the LDRS: "We have been made aware of the matter and will be discussing the matter with the member in question. So far, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Yvonne Davies, resigned from Labour in . Video, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, Adidas sued by investors over Kanye West deal, US principal visits David sculpture after nudity row, Suspected IS chief killed in Syria, Turkey says, US bank makes last ditch bid to find rescuer, UK chip giant Arm files for blockbuster share sale, Pope urges Hungarians to 'open doors' to migrants, Cuba cancels May Day parade because of fuel crisis. This was among three occasions Mr Hussain allegedly broke the Member Code for councillors to help his family, according to the QC. Sandwell Council said it would co-operate with the police investigation revealed by the BBC in October 2014, Mahboob Hussain 'knew socially' the buyer of the public toilets, Mr Goudie said, The former HM Coroner's office was bought in May 2013 by Azeem Hafeez for 80,000 according to Land Registry. He declined to comment. Mr Kalari's statement explained: "It has recently come to my attention that a number of historic tweets have come to light, claiming to have originated from my Twitter account. Ward: Newton Party: Labour Party Peter Allen A blogger. Sandwell Council's Yvonne Davies was being investigated over tweets she posted in 2018 and was suspended by the Labour party on Monday, she said. Is climate change killing Australian wine? Sandwell Council has partnered with digital services and consulting company Infosys to launch a website that will offer local people free skills training courses from beginner to advanced level. The MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis denounced the council as a "rotten regime" in January 2018, prompting a retort from Mr Eling who branded him "a coward". It is understood that one new candidate, Hezera Zehora, has already dropped out in Wednesbury South. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Conservative MP James Morris - who has long called for Mr Eling's resignation - said his leadership were the council's "darkest days". I am horrified that I might even be consideredso to be," she told colleagues during the online meeting. Something went wrong, please try again later. Richard Marshall had been Sandwell Council's cabinet member for leisure A councillor has stepped down from his cabinet role amid an inquiry into offensive messages about colleagues. The next leader was then Yvonne Davies, who won a narrow leadership election in May 2019.

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