4. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Indian officials wife distraught as his killer is freed, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Police told him in November 2015 he would face no action. Councillor Steve Melia is shown in a video from Julian Saunders aka Sandwell Skidder A Labour source said that Councillor Steve Melia has been administratively suspended from the Labour. over claims he had posted anti-Semitic tweets. Senior Multi-Media Journalist@JamieB_Star. The BBC has approached Ms Hadley for a response. 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. [3] Councillor Yvonne Davies was suspended by the Labour Party over the allegations. The QC said this meant there was no misconduct issue by Mr Jones. 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. "This is not the first time the national party has interfered in Sandwell and people are fed up of it. It is the first confirmed case of the new coronavirus. Is climate change killing Australian wine? The incident took place on Sandwell Council's property. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line. Published on 20th March 2023. 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. I have been here for over half a century. Is climate change killing Australian wine? He said councillors Underhill, Downing and Davies were all "incredibly hardworking in their wards". suspended by the Labour Party following allegations she posted anti-Semitic tweets. Laured Kalari, who was leading the Tory group. 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 council confirmed the incident took place on council property. 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. One post from August 2014 shows a cartoon image featuring a man with a Star of David symbol on his sleeve chopping up a small child. He claimed: They fought and argued with anyone from a BAME background, [and] would always belittle their ideas or statements in meetings and out of them. 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.". A source claimed to the LDRS the suspension of Mr Jones may have also been related to a series of fabrication of tweets". Former Cradley Heath and Old Hill councillor John Tipper, who stood down in 2016, is back as the new candidate for Old Warley. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. More incompetence? The BBC has asked whether she remains on the council's cabinet but has not yet had a response. Liam Michael Abrahams. She also claimed millions of pounds had been spent "with little regard to the public purse". READ MORE:Sandwell's Conservative leader urged to resign over 'distasteful' social media posts. Sign up for our Birmingham Politics Weekly email updates for the latest politics news. His case has been referred to the National Constitutional Committee, Labour's ultimate disciplinary body. He said they came from a fake account, and he was a victim of a bid to undermine him. Is climate change killing Australian wine? MORE: Suspended Labour councillor could stand for Tories. He declined to comment. More cronyism? Julian Saunders, 63, was outside Oldbury Council House last night (December 7) filming elected members ahead of a full council meeting. Mr Kalari, a former Conservative leader and councillor, had vehemently denied making a series of offensive messages on Twitter, posted in 2020 and 2021. Cat-and-mouse chase with China in hotly contested sea, Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. 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. The tweets have since been deleted. She has denied the allegations and claims the recordings were doctored. Hateley Heath councillor Paul Sandars is retiring, as are councillors' Ann Jaron (Abbey), Babu Singh Bawa (St Paul's) and Linda Horton (Smethwick). Local Democracy Reporter covering the Sandwell and Dudley boroughs. 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, Air strikes pound Sudan capital as truce extended. "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. 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,. The new candidates also include Nagi Daya Singh in Rowley, a local shopkeeper who is understood to be in his mid-80s. Two Peterborough councillors suspended. 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. Read about our approach to external linking. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. 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. Jan Britton (inset) As the SKWAWKBOX reported yesterday Jan Britton, the chief executive officer of Sandwell Council - the borough at the heart of the Labour right's West Midlands stronghold - resigned yesterday from his 140,000-a-year position, a week after being placed on 'extended leave' because of what the council termed 'serious concerns'. Deputy Leader Syeda Khatun will assume Mr Eling's responsibilities before a formal election on 5 March. ", Separately our source went on to claim: I believe Mr Jones wanted to control and label every little thing. Thanet Council leader quit after being accused of 'series of failures'. Councillor Susan Eaves has been deselected in Rowley, although it is understood she has now been named as the candidate for Princes End. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. 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. 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". The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. He was suspended from the party in January for allegedly posting sexist tweets. 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. She previously maintained her innocence, claiming the recording was altered by political opponents. In a statement, a spokesperson for the national Conservative party confirmed Mr Jones had been suspended from the party pending the outcome of an investigation. It is unclear when this decision took place. Councillor Jones told the Express & Star that councillors "aren't able to comment on Labour Party business". 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. Mr Khan wrote: "Until the Kings of KSA [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] are overthrown Israel will continue its killing and destruction of the people of Palestine.". Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? The authority commissioned law firm Gowling WLG to investigate alleged irregularities in the sale of the authority's former properties from 2011-2013. 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. 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. 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. Cat-and-mouse chase with China in hotly contested sea, Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Ward: Great Barr with Yew Tree Party: Conservative Party Zahoor Ahmed . Read about our approach to external linking. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. By 2014, all but two of Sandwell's 72 councillors were Labour members. In a Sandwell Council Cabinet meeting this afternoon she stood down as council leader, aiming a broadside. A West Midlands Police spokesman confirmed the force was investigating but so far nobody has been arrested. Mr Goudie said publication of the Gowling report was "strongly in the public interest". 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. Yvonne Davies resigned at the cabinet meeting. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Mr Eling said he has been given no details of the complaint against him. 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 include Bill Gavan, who. So far, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Yvonne Davies, resigned from Labour in . "I have friends in the Jewish community, the Sikh community, the Hindu community, every community. Although he was not part of the council group, he knew what the councillors were doing day in and day out.. 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. 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". A councillor allegedly recorded using racially abusive terms about a colleague has been suspended from the Labour Party, the BBC understands. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Labour is going to be on a real sticky wicket this year in Sandwell and this latest cull doesn't really make sense. a complaint had been made to Labour officials accusing Councillor Hadley of making racist comments in a private conversation. They are councillor Joanne. Sandwell Council's Yvonne Davies was being investigated over tweets she posted in 2018 and was suspended by the Labour party on Monday, she said. A former deputy council leader "interfered" in parking tickets issued to members of his family, a lawyer has found. 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. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Mr Jones also said he could not comment now because the report was confidential. On Monday, an official email purported to be from the Conservative party confirmed Mr Kalaris membership was fully restored after a five-month investigation. 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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. It really has hurt me what she's said. Birmingham Hodge Hill MP accused of misusing public cash. Read about our approach to external linking. And in an extraordinary turn of events, Laured Kalari, the former Sandwell Conservative leader, has been cleared by the party of any wrongdoing. Sandwell need councillors that put people and services first. The full list of candidates provided by the Labour Party is as follows: Wednesbury South (two seats): Kiratraj Singh/Hezera Zehora *no longer standing. Councillor Steve Melia has been suspended, according to a Labour source, Get all the latest politics news straight to your inbox with our bi-weekly newsletter. Subscribe to one or all notification sources from this one place. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It is not yet clear why. Two senior councillors in Sandwell have been suspended by the Labour Party. I was humiliated. In a . Analysis: Rob Mayor, BBC Sunday Politics and BBC WM Black Country political reporter. She said she was rejected after a six-minute interview having initially been told she was unopposed in the ward. He said he could not comment now as the contents of the report were "confidential". Councillor Laured Kalari denied any involvement with the tweets that were published in 2020 and in 2021. 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 have never been anti-Semitic. 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. 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. It is not yet clear why Councillor Hussain has been suspended. His suspension follows that of councillors Joanne Hadley, who is cabinet member for safer communities, and fellow Tipton Green councillor Ian Jones. Sandwell Council's directory of all local Councillors. Gulshan Tabassum is expected to take her place, making way for Councillor Eaves to stand in Princes End. Councillor Steve Melia was filmed during the altercation with a blogger. knocked a phone out of the hands of a blogger. The council will consider any appropriate action in accordance with its Ethical Framework that governs elected member conduct. More incompetence?. In a statement, Mr Kalari confirmed he had been cleared of any wrongdoing and thanked friends and family for support. Connor Jones, the chairman for Sandwell Conservatives, was suspended on June 3 following complaints from several councillors over his conduct. He said he had not been consulted and had not been aware of the price. 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. Video, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, 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. Responsible for local and national political stories, opinion, comment and analysis. Sandwell Council is currently on its fourth leader since February 2019, with Maria Crompton taking over this July on an interim basis after Yvonne Davies stood down. Councillor Steve Trow, Sandwell. Rowley (two seats): Claire Mayo/Nagi Daya Singh. In August, the Labour Party said it took "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". 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. 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. It detailed a further two councillors had been placed under investigation, but it is not clear what for. A Sandwell councillor has been suspended from the Labour party after an alleged assault against a blogger. "There has been a culture of deceit and cover up at the council," she said. 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. Steve Eling resigned as Sandwell Council leader on Wednesday, three weeks after his suspension.. A new leader will be formally elected in March and Mr Eling said he will continue to serve his. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Councillor Melia continued to ask this question, before knocking the phone out of Mr Saunders hand. The party said it could not comment on individual cases but said it takes "all complaints extremely seriously". The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Steve Eling resigned as Sandwell Council leader on Wednesday, three weeks after his suspension.. A new leader will be formally elected in March and Mr Eling said he will continue to serve his ward, Abbey. Author James Goudie QC suggested Labour's Mr Hussain committed six council code of conduct breaches. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. Sandwell Council said it would co-operate with the police investigation revealed by the BBC in October 2014, Mahboob Hussain 'knew socially' the buyer of the public toilets, Mr Goudie said, The former HM Coroner's office was bought in May 2013 by Azeem Hafeez for 80,000 according to Land Registry. Eling was suspended after complaints of serious misconduct. I am a proud British Indian. 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.". Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. The council supports freedom of expression and speech and the rights of the press to attend council meeting that are held in public.. I had to stop asking friends to join the party, he wrote in a media statement. Senior reporter at the Express & Star. Ward: Hateley Heath Party: Labour Party Keith Allcock. "But I can't accept they have put a man there, which has broken their own regulations. 2023 BBC. I haven't made the decision to go in there, it was the Labour Party. Get Midlands politics news and analysis direct to your inbox with the Midlands Message newsletter. She accused party members of leaking "these matters to the press" adding that she wished she "could have apologisedfor my historic mis-judgement".. A council leader has accused colleagues of racism, deceit and corruption as she resigned after being suspended over alleged anti-Semitic tweets. "I am sorry if I got it wrong. "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. 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. More corruption? 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. "To me that's terrible for the residents of Newton. "The council will consider any appropriate action in accordance with its Ethical Framework that governs elected member conduct. Mr Hafeez, who was arrested last year, provided no evidence to the council's solicitors despite requests, the QC wrote. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Political Editor for the Express & Star. Jeers can be heard in video following the incident and alleged that the incident was 'assault' and calling for the councillor to be suspended. Councillor Giles defended her record and said she did her casework "through council officers". Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk, Resignation calls over recording with racist slurs, 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. Ms Hadley has denied any wrongdoing and claims the tape featuring the comments was doctored. That people would go to such lengths to discredit me did not surprise me. He also served as chair of the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? 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.

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