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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. Police told him in November 2015 he would face no action. His suspension follows that of councillors Joanne Hadley, who is cabinet member for safer communities, and fellow Tipton Green councillor Ian Jones. A councillor allegedly recorded using racially abusive terms about a colleague has been suspended from the Labour Party, the BBC understands. "There were no reported injuries and no property was damaged. The . 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. 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. Latest news | Sandwell Council Councillor Steve Melia | Great Barr with Yew Tree Ward - Sandwell 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 . Senior reporter at the Express & Star. The council has been contacted for comment. Mr Jones has vehemently denied the claims. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. The Labour leader of Sandwell council has stepped down from his role rather than face a vote of no confidence in March. She denied being racist saying she never had the chance to defend herself. He has previously dubbed the investigations a "witch-hunt" and disputed the truth of the allegations. I have been here for over half a century. 'I'm a casualty of war': Fresh turmoil for Sandwell Labour amid claims The Labour Party also launched an investigation into the borough's interim council leader, Councillor Maria Crompton. I am a proud British Indian. Last month it was revealed a complaint had been made to Labour officials accusing Councillor Hadley of making racist comments in a private conversation. Labour councillors have chosen Councillor Steve Trow to replace Mr Eling as head of their group and he is expected to seek election next month. MORE: Suspended Labour councillor could stand for Tories. It is not yet clear why Councillor Hussain has been suspended. Mr Kalari had continued to protest his innocence and deny the tweets came from his account. Sign up for our Birmingham Politics Weekly email updates for the latest politics news. Councillor Melia then walked past, pointed a finger at Mr Saunders and knocked the phone from his hand in what has been described as assault. I am horrified that I might even be consideredso to be," she told colleagues during the online meeting. 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. "They are replacing me with someone who is bottom of the list when it comes to doing casework. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Sandwell council said it had found one case and the infected person and their contacts were already self-isolating before it was confirmed. So far, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Yvonne Davies, resigned from Labour in . It is unclear why Mr Eling was suspended by the Labour party's National Executive Committee (NEC), but it is understood it is conducting a lengthy investigation. 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.". knocked a phone out of the hands of a blogger. "It is understood a man in his 60s was assaulted by a man in his 70s following a verbal altercation. He is the first Conservative councillor to speak out publicly against Mr Jones. Sandwell councillor Richard Marshall quits cabinet role Laured Kalari said the tweets did not come from his account. 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 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. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line. 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". Something went wrong, please try again later. A recent audit found evidence of poor behaviour and a lack of trust across the organisation which has seen six different leaders in as many years and a number of misconduct allegations made against councillors. Sandwell Labour councillors will shortly need to elect a new council and Labour group leader, after Cllr Steve Trow dramatically resigned last week. 2. It is unclear when this decision took place. "I categorically deny that these were written by me and the views expressed, which are abhorrent, are not the ones I hold.". 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. Connor Jones, chairman of Sandwell Conservatives, has been suspended while Laured Kalari has been reinstated into the party, Get all the latest politics news straight to your inbox with our bi-weekly newsletter. I was suspended from the party in July last year having served as the Leader of Sandwell Council from May 2019. Is climate change killing Australian wine? More cronyism? A council leader has accused colleagues of racism, deceit and corruption as she resigned after being suspended over alleged anti-Semitic tweets. An email sent to all councillors in Sandwell from the local party chair on Monday, seen by the BBC, said two of their number had been suspended - one of whom is understood to be Ms Hadley, BBC Radio WM political reporter Rob Mayor said. 13:26, 10 DEC 2021. That people would go to such lengths to discredit me did not surprise me. Meanwhile Labour Party member and a Sandwell businessman Basharat Khan has also been suspended over social media posts. Councillor Underhill said she was planning to write to Sir Keir Starmer to demand answers, and did not rule out standing against Labour in the election. Councillor Crompton had been deputy leader under Councillor Davies and has been the council's interim leader ever since. "This is not the first time the national party has interfered in Sandwell and people are fed up of it. He said councillors Underhill, Downing and Davies were all "incredibly hardworking in their wards". Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Sandwell Conservatives top chief suspended - BirminghamLive 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. Mr Khan is the complainant in the case against Councillor Hadley, where he alleged she made racist remarks during a private phone call. 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. Two Peterborough councillors suspended. Councillor Joanne Hadley, cabinet member for safer communities who represents Great Bridge ward, has been suspended following allegations of racism, the Express & Star understands. Connor Jones, the chairman for Sandwell Conservatives, was suspended on June 3 following complaints from several councillors over his conduct. The next leader was then Yvonne Davies, who won a narrow leadership election in May 2019. ", Separately our source went on to claim: I believe Mr Jones wanted to control and label every little thing. They include Bill Gavan, who. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. 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. 2023 BBC. Sandwell Council's directory of all local Councillors. He said he could not comment now as the contents of the report were "confidential". Ms Hadley has denied any wrongdoing and claims the tape featuring the comments was doctored. His suspension is believed to have followed a series of posts he made which the party says "may reasonably be seen to involve anti-Semitic actions, stereotypes and sentiments". 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. Connor Jones, the former chairman of Sandwell Conservatives, pictured in May 2022. A West Midlands Police spokesman confirmed the force was investigating but so far nobody has been arrested. Gulshan Tabassum is expected to take her place, making way for Councillor Eaves to stand in Princes End. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. In Sandwell we know diversity is our strength and these fresh faces will bring a wealth of lived experience to the council chamber. 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.". Video, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, denounced the council as a "rotten regime", Latest news and updates from the West Midlands, sign up for local news updates direct to your phone, 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. A council leader has stepped down from his role after being suspended from the Labour Party following a "complaint". 5. 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. Mr Kalari has had his Conservative membership returned to him. "I have no intention of joining another political party, but I could give the people of Newton the chance to vote for me as an independent," she said. Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article. Birmingham Hodge Hill MP accused of misusing public cash. Political Editor for the Express & Star. Mr Hafeez, who was arrested last year, provided no evidence to the council's solicitors despite requests, the QC wrote. I have built a family and [a] successful business here.". Strikes will also take place on the 7th, 14th, and 21st September. Councillor Melia continued to ask this question, before knocking the phone out of Mr Saunders hand. Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council - Wikipedia By 2014, all but two of Sandwell's 72 councillors were Labour members. A Labour source said that Councillor Steve Melia has been administratively suspended from the Labour Party, pending investigation. Ward: Hateley Heath Party: Labour Party Keith Allcock. More cronyism? Connor Jones, the chairman for Sandwell Conservatives, was suspended on June 3 following complaints from several councillors over his conduct. 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. 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. "There has been a culture of deceit and cover up at the council," she said. It detailed a further two councillors had been placed under investigation, but it is not clear what for. His statement maintained "the handle" on the tweets "did not match the handle on my verified account". Breaking: 'Labour has not served people or protected - SKWAWKBOX She added that the council faced two choices "a return to the white, male old guard who pay lip service to equality or Black Lives Matter, but will seek ultimately to preserve their own power base" or embracing a new future of "transparency, integrity and fighting against prejudice". I have always been faithful to the Labour Party, but at the moment I have lost my confidence in them.". Laured Kalari, who was leading the Tory group. The authority commissioned law firm Gowling WLG to investigate alleged irregularities in the sale of the authority's former properties from 2011-2013. 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. I haven't made the decision to go in there, it was the Labour Party. Councillors by Name | Sandwell Council 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. Councillor Giles defended her record and said she did her casework "through council officers". "To me that's terrible for the residents of Newton. Rowley (two seats): Claire Mayo/Nagi Daya Singh. Current council leader Kerrie Carmichael said her vision for Sandwell was for a borough totally focused on . The council was said to be "insular and siloed" but improvements were also highlighted. 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, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies. "I think the NEC of the Labour Party has made decisions which are both devastating for them personally and hugely damaging for the local Labour Party," he added. 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. Julian Saunders, who blogs as Sandwell Skidder, was outside Oldbury Council House on Tuesday filming elected members ahead of a full council meeting when the incident happened. A Labour source has told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that Councillor Steve Melia has been administratively suspended from the Labour party, pending investigation. We are aware of a video circulating on social media and we ask people not to speculate on the circumstances at this time, as it hinders our investigation.". The BBC has asked whether she remains on the council's cabinet but has not yet had a response. "They'll sell Sandwell people down the river to protect their friends Subscribe to our newsletter to get the day's top stories sent directly to you. They added another year to their 48 year control of Sandwell council. 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. 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. Indian officials wife distraught as his killer is freed, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Brand new buses mean farewell tour for the Sandwell Youth Bus. Former Cradley Heath and Old Hill councillor John Tipper, who stood down in 2016, is back as the new candidate for Old Warley. Is climate change killing Australian wine? PDF Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council 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. The council has suspended garden waste collections to allow remaining staff to focus on domestic waste and recycling bins. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. 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.