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.. Councillor Underhill, who has been replaced by current Bristnall councillor Elaine Giles, described the selection process as a "farce". The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. She accused party members of leaking "these matters to the press" adding that she wished she "could have apologisedfor my historic mis-judgement".. In the video, Mr Saunders, was calling out to councillors as they walked into the building, stating: "Councillors, back to the future? Councillor Laured Kalari denied any involvement with the tweets that were published in 2020 and in 2021. He has previously dubbed the investigations a "witch-hunt" and disputed the truth of the allegations. Local Democracy Reporter covering the Sandwell and Dudley boroughs. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. (Image: Julian Saunders) A Sandwell councillor has been suspended from the Labour party after an . The next leader was then Yvonne Davies, who won a narrow leadership election in May 2019. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. 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. The QC said this meant there was no misconduct issue by Mr Jones. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article. Mr Khan added: "My complaint against Joanne Hadley's racist remarks this is revenge for that.". Councillor Jones told the Express & Star that councillors "aren't able to comment on Labour Party business". 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.". More corruption? We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? 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. 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. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said when he visited the council recently there had to be change at the authority, but its leaders knew what needed to be done. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. My suspension was based on fabricated allegations of anti-semitism as a result of a cynical trawl that the Party made of my twitter account from 2017 and 2018. 2. Read about our approach to external linking. A council leader has stepped down from his role after being suspended from the Labour Party following a "complaint". Princes End: Gulshan Tabassum *standing in Wednesbury South and replaced by Susan Eaves. The BBC has approached Ms Hadley for a response. The suspension of Mr Jones is significant for the Sandwell Conservatives due to his role as chairman. READ MORE:Tipton workers earning just 9.90ph making seats for 700k McLarens to strike over 'pay cuts'. A Conservative councillor has been suspended over a series of abusive social media posts aimed at deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner among others. Sandwell Council is awaiting a decision by the government as to whether commissioners will be brought in to help run it. I lost all faith in the Conservative party.. He said he could not comment now as the contents of the report were "confidential". She previously maintained her innocence, claiming the recording was altered by political opponents. 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. Sandwell's Labour group has been plunged into fresh turmoil ahead of the local elections over claims of a "hugely damaging" selection process. Sandwell councillor Joanne Hadley appeared to use racist language discussing fellow party member Basharat Khan in the recording of a phone call. "Numerous times I was made fun of because of my age and my thick Indian accent. Councillor Steve Melia has been suspended, according to a Labour source, Get all the latest politics news straight to your inbox with our bi-weekly newsletter. 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. You'll need photo ID to vote at a polling station at the Local Elections on Thursday 4 May The provisions of Clause 3 shall not apply to: 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". Senior reporter at the Express & Star. Something went wrong, please try again later. "The council expects all members to abide by the standards set out in the Members code of conduct. Councillor Steve Melia Ward: Great Barr with Yew Tree Party: Labour Party Contact details Tel: 0121 502 5751 This councillor's full contact details, surgery details, committee membership,. 5. "It is understood a man in his 60s was assaulted by a man in his 70s following a verbal altercation. The Labour leader of Sandwell council has stepped down from his role rather than face a vote of no confidence in March. The Conservative leader at Sandwell Council has been suspended over alleged abuse tweets aimed at a number of people, including Labour MP Angela Rayner. "There's a lot of infighting in the national party and to put it bluntly I'm a casualty of war," Councillor Underhill said. 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. The Labour Party is yet to give an official reason for the suspensions, which have plunged the crisis hit authority into further turmoil. The new candidates also include Nagi Daya Singh in Rowley, a local shopkeeper who is understood to be in his mid-80s. The One Way of Bernard Street, West Bromwich will be suspended for the duration of the event. Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article. Mr Ealing stood down in February 2019 and was replaced by Steve Trow, who then stood down himself due to personal reasons shortly after a successful local election for Labour in Sandwell. More corruption? Current council leader Kerrie Carmichael said her vision for Sandwell was for a borough totally focused on . Although he was not part of the council group, he knew what the councillors were doing day in and day out.. Laured Kalari, who was leading the Tory group at Labour-run Sandwell Council, has categorically denied being behind the tweets posted in 2020 and 2021. Sandwell Council House Councillor Joanne Hadley, cabinet member for safer. Labour is yet to publish a full list of 24 candidates to contest the May 2022 elections, although a number of former councillors are understood to have been selected. Councillor Melia continued to ask this question, before knocking the phone out of Mr Saunders hand. She chose not to apologise for the tweets sent in 2018 but her claims of serious misconduct open a can of worms at an authority trying to clean up its image after years of damaging scandals. It comes after Councillor Melia, who is aged in his 70s and represents Great Barr with Yew Tree, knocked a phone out of the hands of a blogger and protester who was filming elected members entering a council building. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. The councillor for Rowley had replaced former Conservative group leader David Fisher who was forced to resign over offensive social media posts. 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I have never been anti-Semitic. After Campaign Against Antisemitism reported on the numerous investigations, resignations and suspensions of Labour councillors on Sandwell Council - including a Leader and the current Interim Leader - a concerned member of the public has submitted further evidence of antisemitism from members of the Council.. He declined to comment. Is climate change killing Australian wine? His statement maintained "the handle" on the tweets "did not match the handle on my verified account". This Order can be cited as The Sandwell Borough Council (Hargate Lane, West Bromwich) (Kings Coronation Street Party) (Temporary Road Closure & Suspension of One Way Order) Order 2023. "They are replacing me with someone who is bottom of the list when it comes to doing casework. 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Ward: Great Barr with Yew Tree Party: Conservative Party Zahoor Ahmed . "I categorically deny that these were written by me and the views expressed, which are abhorrent, are not the ones I hold.". On Monday, an official email purported to be from the Conservative party confirmed Mr Kalaris membership was fully restored after a five-month investigation. The Labour Party also launched an investigation into the borough's interim council leader, Councillor Maria Crompton. Brand new buses mean farewell tour for the Sandwell Youth Bus. 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 ward, Abbey. Cat-and-mouse chase with China in hotly contested sea, Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Former Cradley Heath and Old Hill councillor John Tipper, who stood down in 2016, is back as the new candidate for Old Warley. It really has hurt me what she's said. "There were no reported injuries and no property was damaged. It is unclear when this decision took place. They include Bill Gavan, who. 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 . Satpal Singh, a former Conservative councillor for the Rowley ward, alleged Mr Jones had belittled non-white Conservative candidates and members contesting the May local elections in the hope they would leave the party. Mr Hafeez, who was arrested last year, provided no evidence to the council's solicitors despite requests, the QC wrote. Councillor Davies then stood down in July last year after she was suspended by the Labour Party following allegations she posted anti-Semitic tweets. 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. In a statement, Mr Kalari confirmed he had been cleared of any wrongdoing and thanked friends and family for support. He added he would be continuing to pursue the matter through appropriate legal channels. There are three independent councillors and one for the Brexit Party. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Labour holds 62 of the 72 seats, while six vacant seats were all previously Labour held. I haven't made the decision to go in there, it was the Labour Party. 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. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Connor Jones, the chairman for Sandwell Conservatives, was suspended on June 3 following complaints from several councillors over his conduct. Video, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, who was forced to resign over offensive social media posts, commissioners will be brought in to help run it, but its leaders knew what needed to be done, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, Adidas sued by investors over Kanye West deal, Suspected IS chief killed in Syria, Turkey says, UK chip giant Arm files for blockbuster share sale, Pope urges Hungarians to 'open doors' to migrants, US bank makes last ditch bid to find rescuer. Read about our approach to external linking. 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The sale of three former council-owned public conveniences for 35,000 to a friend of Mr Hussain, two days after a district valuer said they were worth 130,000, Mr Hussain and Mr Jones both "agreed to ignore" the valuation, said the QC. A Sandwell councillor has been suspended from the Labour party after an alleged assault against a blogger. 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.". Have I given you permission to film?". 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. He said: "I'm not anti-Semitic. The chairmans role in their local party is to provide guidance, leadership, and ensure the local party is working towards its agreed vision and development plan. Laured Kalari (left) has been suspended as leader of the Conservative party in Sandwell. Is climate change killing Australian wine? In a . This was among three occasions Mr Hussain allegedly broke the Member Code for councillors to help his family, according to the QC. Three leaders have tried and failed to resolve political infighting within Sandwell Labour since the death of another former leader Darren Cooper in 2016, but it's had no impact at the ballot box, with the party holding 68 of the 72 available seats. Cllr Steve Eling's decision comes after his party's councillors chose. Conservative MP James Morris - who has long called for Mr Eling's resignation - said his leadership were the council's "darkest days". 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. Sandwell is the heartland of the Labour right, which lost control of the borough during Jeremy Corbyn's leadership of the party, amid a slew of allegations of corruption as well as sexual harassment and sleaze. Councillor Giles defended her record and said she did her casework "through council officers". Read about our approach to external linking. 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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. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. In a statement, Mr Kalari said he would be seeking legal advice as well as contacting police and Twitter. She added: "She [Councillor Underhill] doesn't know the whole story. Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article. suspended by the Labour Party following allegations she posted anti-Semitic tweets. The leadership turmoil began in January 2019. Mr Eling said he has been given no details of the complaint against him. "The successes of Sandwell Council and needs of the community are taking second place to internal Labour Party squabbling," he added. 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. He said councillors Underhill, Downing and Davies were all "incredibly hardworking in their wards". over claims he had posted anti-Semitic tweets. In Sandwell we know diversity is our strength and these fresh faces will bring a wealth of lived experience to the council chamber. More cronyism? Responsible for local and national political stories, opinion, comment and analysis. Hateley Heath councillor Paul Sandars is retiring, as are councillors' Ann Jaron (Abbey), Babu Singh Bawa (St Paul's) and Linda Horton (Smethwick). A Conservative councillor has been suspended over a series of abusive social media posts aimed at deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner among others. Sandwell Council said it would co-operate with the police investigation revealed by the BBC in October 2014. . 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. 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. Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article. He said the wife's penalty was cancelled, while his son's was reduced. The tweets have since been deleted. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that one message abused the grieving friends of murder victim Sarah Everard, with further derogatory comments made about Ms Rayner and a Muslim woman whose hijab was mocked. I am horrified that I might even be consideredso to be," she told colleagues during the online meeting. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Subscribe to our newsletter to get the day's top stories sent directly to you. He has not yet responded to further questions from the BBC. Reasons unclear. 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