She said she was "saddened and shocked" to have been deselected, adding: "If another woman had given a better interview than me and been selected then I could have accepted it. Yvonne Davies went out with a bang, hurling accusations at political opponents in her own party while expressing horror at claims that she held anti-Semitic views. The BBC has asked whether she remains on the council's cabinet but has not yet had a response. Councillor Giles defended her record and said she did her casework "through council officers". All of the councillors are understood to have been supporters of former council leader Steve Eling, an ally of Tom Watson. Councillor Joanne Hadley claimed the recording had been altered, An email from the local Labour Party chair to all Sandwell councillors said two had been suspended. ", Separately our source went on to claim: I believe Mr Jones wanted to control and label every little thing. 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. Councillor Yvonne Davies was suspended by the Labour Party over the allegations. Laured Kalari said the tweets did not come from his account. 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Meanwhile Labour Party member and a Sandwell businessman Basharat Khan has also been suspended over social media posts. Former Cradley Heath and Old Hill councillor John Tipper, who stood down in 2016, is back as the new candidate for Old Warley. Julian Saunders, 63, was outside Oldbury Council House last night (December 7) filming elected members ahead of a full council meeting. 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. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article. She denied being racist saying she never had the chance to defend herself. 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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. He added he would be continuing to pursue the matter through appropriate legal channels. Subscribe to one or all notification sources from this one place. 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. Author James Goudie QC suggested Labour's Mr Hussain committed six council code of conduct breaches. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. 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. 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. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Councillor Yvonne Davies stood down as council leader in July after she was suspended by Labour over allegedly anti-Semitic posts. Councillor Jones told the Express & Star that councillors "aren't able to comment on Labour Party business". follows that of councillors Joanne Hadley, who is cabinet member for safer communities, and fellow Tipton Green councillor Ian Jones. 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. And in an extraordinary turn of events, Laured Kalari, the former Sandwell Conservative leader, has been cleared by the party of any wrongdoing. Mr Saunders, 63, could be heard in the video saying to councillors: "Back to the future? She accused party members of leaking "these matters to the press" adding that she wished she "could have apologisedfor my historic mis-judgement".. Read about our approach to external linking. It is unclear when this decision took place. Police told him in November 2015 he would face no action. 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. 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. The Labour leader of Sandwell council has stepped down from his role rather than face a vote of no confidence in March. 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. "But I can't accept they have put a man there, which has broken their own regulations. 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. "I have friends in the Jewish community, the Sikh community, the Hindu community, every community. 2023 BBC. Gowling WLG investigated alleged irregularities in the sale of the authority's former properties from 2011-2013, including three old public toilet blocks and a former coroner's office in Smethwick. Labour is going to be on a real sticky wicket this year in Sandwell and this latest cull doesn't really make sense. I am a proud British Indian. the borough's interim council leader, Councillor Maria Crompton. The One Way of Bernard Street, West Bromwich will be suspended for the duration of the event. 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. It was not my intention to hurt anybody.". Subscribe to one or all notification sources from this one place. Indian officials wife distraught as his killer is freed, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. More cronyism? READ MORE:Sandwell's Conservative leader urged to resign over 'distasteful' social media posts. The leadership turmoil began in January 2019. "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. 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. The council supports freedom of expression and speech and the rights of the press to attend council meeting that are held in public.". over claims he had posted anti-Semitic tweets. His case has been referred to the National Constitutional Committee, Labour's ultimate disciplinary body. "This is not the first time the national party has interfered in Sandwell and people are fed up of it. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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. The party said it could not comment on individual cases but said it takes "all complaints extremely seriously". Mr Hussain, now suspended by Labour, has previously denied any wrongdoing. Seven Peterborough councillors suspended for antisemitism. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line. He said: "I'm not anti-Semitic. Responsible for local and national political stories, opinion, comment and analysis. 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. Most of Sandwell's councillors are members of the Labour Party, with the Labour party having run the council since the first election in 1973, apart from one year between 1978 and 1979 when the Conservatives had a majority. 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. A council leader has stepped down from his role after being suspended from the Labour Party following a "complaint". The next leader was then Yvonne Davies, who won a narrow leadership election in May 2019. Councillor Joanne Hadley, cabinet member for safer communities who represents Great Bridge ward, has been suspended following allegations of racism, the Express & Star understands. It is not yet clear why Councillor Hussain has been suspended. Contact me at jamie.brassington@expressandstar.co.uk. The authority commissioned law firm Gowling WLG to investigate alleged irregularities in the sale of the authority's former properties from 2011-2013. Councillor Crompton had been deputy leader under Councillor Davies and has been the council's interim leader ever since. Read about our approach to external linking. 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,. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Four councillors who have served nearly 100 years between them on Sandwell Council have been booted out ahead of the May 6 poll. Read about our approach to external linking. Cat-and-mouse chase with China in hotly contested sea, Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. The tweets have since been deleted. Sandwell councillor Joanne Hadley appeared to use racist language discussing fellow party member Basharat Khan in the recording of a phone call. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. A leaked report also alleges Mahboob Hussain tipped off his son about the upcoming sale of a Sandwell Council property. Mr Khan told the Express & Star he was trying to highlight to political turmoil in the Middle East, in particular "Israel's bombing of Palestine". It is understood that one new candidate, Hezera Zehora, has already dropped out in Wednesbury South. So far, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Yvonne Davies, resigned from Labour in . 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. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. A source claimed to the LDRS the suspension of Mr Jones may have also been related to a series of fabrication of tweets". In her resignation speech at Tuesday's cabinet meeting, she claimed "old white men" in her party "wanted to go back". 13:26, 10 DEC 2021. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Connor Jones, the chairman for Sandwell Conservatives, was suspended on June 3 following complaints from several councillors over his conduct. He said the wife's penalty was cancelled, while his son's was reduced. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. Deputy Leader Syeda Khatun will assume Mr Eling's responsibilities before a formal election on 5 March. Councillor Davies then stood down in July last year after she was suspended by the Labour Party following allegations she posted anti-Semitic tweets. suspended by the Labour Party following allegations she posted anti-Semitic tweets. Have I given you permission to film?". Councillor Steve Eling said he does not know the details of the complaint against him. It detailed a further two councillors had been placed under investigation, but it is not clear what for. 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. 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. A Sandwell councillor has been suspended from the Labour Party after an alleged assault against a blogger. They include Newton councillor Joyce Underhill, who was first elected 30 years ago, and Councillor John Edwards, who has represented Greets Green and Lyng for the past 43 years. 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Ward: Newton Party: Labour Party Peter Allen 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. Read about our approach to external linking. Mr Goudie said publication of the Gowling report was "strongly in the public interest". Councillors by Name. 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. "Ask anyone in Bristnall, they didn't want to lose me.". The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Councillor Laured Kalari denied any involvement with the tweets that were published in 2020 and in 2021. The BBC has approached Ms Hadley for a response. Analysis: Rob Mayor, BBC Sunday Politics and BBC WM Black Country political reporter. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. A council leader has accused colleagues of racism, deceit and corruption as she resigned after being suspended over alleged anti-Semitic tweets. 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. 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". The suspension of Mr Jones is significant for the Sandwell Conservatives due to his role as chairman. The Conservative leader at Sandwell Council has been suspended over alleged abuse tweets aimed at a number of people, including Labour MP Angela Rayner. By 2014, all but two of Sandwell's 72 councillors were Labour members. Read about our approach to external linking. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 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.. 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. a complaint had been made to Labour officials accusing Councillor Hadley of making racist comments in a private conversation. annual survey, First look at Malvern beauty spot hotel's new spring menu with Indian fusion off M5, Chef Anuj Thakur, pal of Birmingham's Aktar Islam, doing British-Asian fusion food and Coronation Afternoon Tea, 10 Midland campsites that are loved by campers and caravanners, These are the sites with petting animals, play areas, stunning views, dog walking areas, great hiking routes and nearby pubs, Sister sprayed brother with chili and vinegar concoction in long-running family feud, She attacked him after a chance meeting in the street and then tried to spray him again, hoping he would be peering through his letterbox, 12 amazing Birmingham street food vendors you need to visit this summer, We're lucky to have a number of quality street food locations in the city, we've picked out 12 of the best that you can tuck into right now, Celebrity deaths 2023 all the stars who have died in April, Barry Humphries, Len Goodman and S Club 7's Paul Cattermole are among those who died this month, Attractions hosting King's Coronation events around Birmingham and the West Midlands, Special Coronation events taking place at Cadbury World, Drayton Manor, Sarehole Mill, Legoland, Severn Valley Railway and more, Major GP changes which will start this month, New rules have been laid down by NHS England - here's the key date and what it will mean when you phone up to see a doctor, Grass won't be mowed for a month in four Birmingham neighbourhoods, The council pilot will be rolled out in four city wards - and it could transform how parts of the city look, 'I would prefer' - Manchester United man Bruno Fernandes responds to Aston Villa critics, The latest Aston Villa news and views from BirminghamLive as Bruno Fernandes reacts to stick from Aston Villa fans, How to have a historic day out in Warwick without paying to get into the castle, The Castle is wonderful, but there are much less expensive things you can do to scratch that history itch too, AA slams city's latest on-street parking price rises as top rate races past 10, City centre visitors who want to park inside Birmingham's Inner Zone will have to fork out more than 10 for the first time if they want to stay for up to four hours maximum. Ward: Hateley Heath Party: Labour Party Keith Allcock. More cronyism? Sandwell Council Thursday 18 November 2021, 10:58am Lucy Kapasi Reporter, ITV News Central Cllr Rajbir Singh has resigned for personal reasons Credit: Sandwell Council It has been an. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. MORE: Suspended Labour councillor could stand for Tories. Councillor Steve Trow, Sandwell. Hateley Heath councillor Paul Sandars is retiring, as are councillors' Ann Jaron (Abbey), Babu Singh Bawa (St Paul's) and Linda Horton (Smethwick). It is unclear when this decision took place. Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article. Sandwell Labour councillors will shortly need to elect a new council and Labour group leader, after Cllr Steve Trow dramatically resigned last week. 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 council has suspended garden waste collections to allow remaining staff to focus on domestic waste and recycling bins. He has not yet responded to further questions from the BBC. He declined to comment. I had to stop asking friends to join the party, he wrote in a media statement. Laured Kalari (left) has been suspended as leader of the Conservative party in Sandwell. 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. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Councillor Maria Crompton It is also understood that two other Sandwell councillors - including a cabinet member - have been suspended by the Labour Party. Mr Jones has vehemently denied the claims. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? 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. Councillor Melia continued to ask this question, before knocking the phone out of Mr Saunders hand. "To me that's terrible for the residents of Newton. 2023 BBC. Two Peterborough councillors suspended. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. A former leader of Sandwell Council has quit Labour, claiming the party was attempting to "bury the truth about wrongdoing" at the authority. They added another year to their 48 year control of Sandwell council. Senior Multi-Media Journalist@JamieB_Star. Current council leader Kerrie Carmichael said her vision for Sandwell was for a borough totally focused on . 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. ", Councillor Steve Melia (Lab, Great Barr with Yew Tree) pointed a finger at Mr Saunders, saying: "Have I given you permission to fim me. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Sandwell Council's Yvonne Davies was being. 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. Contact me at jamie.brassington@expressandstar.co.uk. It is the first confirmed case of the new coronavirus. Other deselected councillors are Oldbury's Susan Downing, who was first elected in 2004, and Sharon Davies, who has been in Langley since 2012. Strikes will also take place on the 7th, 14th, and 21st September. Birmingham Hodge Hill MP accused of misusing public cash. His suspension follows that of councillors Joanne Hadley, who is cabinet member for safer communities, and fellow Tipton Green councillor Ian Jones. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. That people would go to such lengths to discredit me did not surprise me. A councillor allegedly recorded using racially abusive terms about a colleague has been suspended from the Labour Party, the BBC understands.
