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Extremism in Waltham Forest: a quick roundup of the recent lowpoints

April 29, 2016 Martin Esom, Prevent

It has been a busy few months on the extremism front in Waltham Forest, so here is a short roundup of the major stories that have been featured on this blog (links to the full versions are pasted beneath). The material of course largely speaks for itself. One point is important though. LBWF Chief Executive Martin Esom claims some expertise in counter-extremism work, and chairs the London Prevent Board. Perhaps he should spend more time looking at what is right under his nose. January 2015 Investigative reporter Andrew Gilligan recounts the following: ‘Last November, in Leyton, east London, there was a public reading of the creed of Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab, founder of the ultra-conservative... »

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Academies, George Tomlinson Primary, and LBWF Interim Director of School Standards Rosalind Turner UPDATED

April 24, 2016 Academies, George Tomlinson, LBWF, Waltham Forest Labour Party, Waltham Forest Schools

Earlier this week, a reliable contact in the Town Hall rang me to say that some Labour councillors seemed spooked by the stance being taken by LBWF’s Interim Director of School Standards, Rosalind Turner, and more generally were nervous about what they perceived as the ‘academisation’ of Waltham Forest schools. Indeed, my contact told me, the rumour circulating was that Cabinet member Cllr. Mark Rusling had actually resigned over the issue, before temporarily rescinding his decision because of the scandal enveloping Cllr. Khan (for which see previous posts). A couple of days later, the following rather dramatic statement appeared on the George Tomlinson Primary School website: ‘A note to par... »

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Cllr. Robbins on the Private Eye and Guido Fawkes allegations about Cllr. Ali

April 20, 2016 Cllr. Chris Robbins, Cllr. Liaquat Ali, the Labour Party in Waltham Forest

I reprint below some correspondence that I have had with Cllr. Chris Robins, Leader of LBWF, concerning allegations involving his close colleague Cllr. Liaquat Ali and the latter’s family. Most of Cllr. Robbins’ response to me, it hardly needs saying, is irrelevant, but I am struck by the line about ‘as a matter of routine’ not responding to ‘either publication’. The allegations made are serious ones. Both Guido and Private Eye have substantial readerships, including many influential decision-makers (MPs, civil servants, etc.). In addition, the issue at stake clearly hits a popular nerve. In general, no-one half decent likes the idea of rich individuals exploiting the local housing crisis. M... »

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The Cllr. Ahsan Khan affair: new revelations UPDATED

April 19, 2016 Cllr. Ahsan Khan, Martin Esom, Prevent, the Labour Party in Waltham Forest

Harry’s Place has further revelations about the Cllr. Khan affair: http://hurryupharry.org/2016/04/18/meet-the-friends-of-corbynista-vicar-steven-saxby/ It certainly does seem strange that a person who apparently feels the imagery pasted below is acceptable now finds himself honoured with a ‘community award’ by councillors, including Madam Mayor, on LBWF property. I’ve pointed LBWF Chief Executive Martin Esom to this specific detail, and again will post his reply. UPDATE I e-mailed Mr. Esom about this at 07.31 on 19th April. As of now – 08.06 on the 28th April – he has not even sent me an acknowledgement.               &n... »

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Cllr. Ahsan Khan steps down amid talk of inadmissible intolerance UPDATED

April 13, 2016 Cllr. Ahsan Khan, Martin Esom, Prevent, the Labour Party in Waltham Forest

Word reaches me that earlier in the week Labour councillors were circulated with an e-mail which announced that Cllr. Ahsan Khan, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, had stepped down from the Cabinet, pending an independent investigation by the LBWF Monitoring Officer. What appears to have happened is that Cllr. Khan organised an event in the Town Hall, attended by the Mayor, which was then the subject of a video posted online, the latter put together by one Qari Mahmood and propagated by Khalid Iqbal Malik. It is this video that is the source of the problem, because it is said to display a degree of intolerance that is of reasonable and significant concern in a multicultural borough li... »

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