Sadiq Khan has given a senior job to a former key activist in a violent pro-migrant group which physically attacks immigration officers and police. Rupinder Parhar was appointed last April as the GLA’s “Head of Equalities” on a salary of £72,500. A surprising choice for the role considering her history…
In 2016, The Times revealed Parhar had a key role (which she did not deny) in Anti-Raids Network (ARN) – a group that encourages violent “resistance” and to “fight” against immigration and police officers enforcing removals of illegal immigrants. The group blasts what it calls the “war of the borders” between “Home Office ‘immigration enforcement teams’,” and “our neighbourhoods“. Some of their leaflets proudly describe how members had “attacked” police arresting an illegal immigrant in south London and how immigration vans had their “tyres slashed” and “windscreen smashed”. Let’s see what Londoners make of that…
As voters prepare to head to the polls for tomorrow’s local elections, many Tories are fearing total wipeout. Though a latest poll by Savanta shows all may not be lost yet for Tory London Mayoral candidate Susan Hall…
The final poll shows Sadiq Khan has the smallest lead over Susan Hall since the campaigns started, putting the Labour mayor on 42% and Tory candidate 32% – just ten percentage points ahead. Late night Suzie’s push against Lame London and ULEZ seems to be hitting home…
Housing is on the agenda today as Labour and the Tories spar with each other and their personnel. Rayner took the time to attack the Tories for watering down leasehold commitments in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill. Guido wonders what Labour has done in the capital city they control…
Sadiq Khan’s 2021 manifesto promised:
“I’ll pilot a commonhold scheme to show how this form of ownership can become the new national standard for new flats.“
That was followed by crickets for three years. Now his new manifesto doesn’t even repeat that last failed pledge:
“I will continue to campaign for an end to the feudal leasehold system and its replacement with Commonhold.“
Meanwhile, Khan slings mud at Gove for the Tories’ failure to fulfil their 2019 manifesto commitment on ground rents. The pot is screaming at the kettle…
Guido revealed a recording earlier today of Khan’s Deputy Mayor for Business, Howard Dawber, hosting a meeting at City Hall urging the room to come out and help people vote for Labour. Now, Neil Garratt – group leader of the City Hall Conservatives – has written to the GLA to call for an investigation into the incident. Bad timing for Khan…
The potential breach of GLA’s Guidance on Political Restriction wasn’t the only thing on the Tories’ mind. They also point out that Dawber may have breached the GLA Use of Resource guidance, as the meeting appeared to be political, having been chaired on behalf of SME4Labour. The guidance clearly states that GLA facilities and funds should not be used for “party political activity and electoral campaigning”. Double trouble for Dawber…
Read the letter in full below:
With London Mayoral election day next week, Khan’s team are eyeing a third term. Feeling certain of victory, they are getting careless…
Guido can reveal a video recording of a meeting from the second week of March addressed by Khan’s Deputy Mayor for Business, Howard Dawber, hosted at City Hall to discuss the role played by British Bangladeshi SMEs. After stating “unfortunately I’m not Bangladeshi but I’d like to be“, Dawber appears to urge the room to come out and help people vote for Labour:
“Obviously we have an election coming up, I need to mention that, on 2nd May. Those of you who are in London, I can’t, I don’t think I am allowed to say which way you should vote, but I do want you to vote, please. And if you were going to support us, take the day off, now arrange to take the day off, come out and help us to get other people, as it is going to be on turnout. If our voters come out we are fine. If they don’t come out we are not fine.”
According to GLA’s Guidance on Political Restriction, Deputy Mayors must not “speak to the public at large or to a section of the public with the apparent intention of affecting public support for a UK political party“. Dawber is politically restricted. Neil Garratt, group leader of City Hall Conservatives group, tells Guido:
“Mayor Khan’s Deputy appears to be hosting Labour Party election rallies at City Hall disguised as official events, misusing taxpayer funded facilities for party political use. Did they also fundraise for Labour at these dodgy events?”
Dawber, Khan’s most recent hire, on a salary of £141,406, may be in trouble. Guido has contacted Khan’s office for a comment. What will Khan say?
UPDATE: A London Labour spokesman said:
“As the recording shows, the Deputy Mayor is clear that he is not telling anybody how to vote. However, the choice on May 2 is clear: a pro-business Labour mayor building a better London for everyone, or the Tories’ Susan Hall who will take London backwards and doesn’t even mention business or jobs in her manifesto.”
The London mayoral race is into its final week and Khan has stepped up his personal attacks on Susan Hall. Speaking during LBC’s debate last night, he said:
“The Tory candidate is the most dangerous candidate I’ve fought against.”
Hall hit back:
“I think that’s an outrageous comment!”
Khan’s remark related to Hall’s social media history, which has dogged her for the campaign. If Khan thinks her tweets are dangerous, wait until he finds out about soaring knife crime…
