Tower Hamlets mayor: why Lutfur Rahman was sacked
Britain's first elected Muslim mayor has been found guilty of voting fraud in a 'victory for honest politics'
Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman has been removed from office after he was found guilty of voting fraud, corruption and exerting unlawful religious influence during last year's election campaign in east London.
The result of the mayoral election was declared void at the High Court and Rahman, who was Britain's first Muslim executive mayor, has been ordered to pay costs of £250,000.
What happened?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Rahman was re-elected mayor in May, triumphing over Labour rival John Biggs. However, allegations of voting irregularities and religious influence soon emerged. In yesterday's ruling, Election Commissioner Richard Mawrey said Rahman ran a "ruthless and dishonest campaign".
He was found guilty of a number of offences, including:
Voting fraud: Hundreds of fake postal votes were cast by Rahman's supporters.
Unlawful religious influence: His party told voters that it was their "religious duty" as Muslims to vote for him.
Bribery: Huge sums of money were given to local organisations who were "totally ineligible or who failed to meet the threshold for eligibility".
Treating: The party provided free food and drink in an attempt to encourage people to vote for him.
False statements: Rahman accused his rival Biggs of being a racist and silenced his critics with "accusations of racism and Islamophobia".
What has the reaction been?
"The ferocity of the judge's verdict provoked gasps in court," with friends and family claiming Rahman had been unfairly treated, The Guardian reports. Rahman continues to deny all allegations.
Rahman's party, Tower Hamlets First, said the judgement was a "shock" and it would be seeking further legal advice, while Biggs said the ruling was "a victory for honest politics".
However, former London mayor Ken Livingstone said he was "distinctly uncomfortable" with a court's ability to remove an elected mayor. "If there is any illegality, then surely that is a matter for the police," he said.
What will happen next?
"Mr Rahman's career in politics looks like it is over," says the BBC's political correspondent Karl Mercer. But the consequences of the ruling could extend further than the courtroom, he says. "How will the Bengali community in Tower Hamlets, many of whom voted for Mr Rahman, react? What will the judgement's impact be on community cohesion?"
Police are now considering whether to launch a criminal inquiry against the former mayor, while Rahman has indicated he may launch a judicial review.
The re-run of the poll is expected to be on either 7 June 11 June.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'A speaker courageous enough to stand up to the extremists in his own party'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
How could the Supreme Court's Fischer v. US case impact the other Jan 6. trials including Trump's?
Today's Big Question A former Pennsylvania cop might hold the key to a major upheaval in how the courts treat the Capitol riot — and its alleged instigator
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 18, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - impeachment Peanuts, record-breaking temperatures, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
How the biggest election year in history might play out
The Explainer Votes in world's biggest democracies, as well as its most 'despotic' and 'stressed' countries, face threats of violence and suppression
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Good democracies include their poorest citizens. The UK excludes them'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published