The council supports freedom of expression and speech and the rights of the press to attend council meeting that are held in public.. So far, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Yvonne Davies, resigned from Labour in . Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? 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". Nicola Richards, Tory MP for West Bromwich East, said she was "shocked" at the content. Political Editor for the Express & Star. He was suspended from the party in January for allegedly posting sexist tweets. Sandwell's Labour group has been plunged into fresh turmoil ahead of the local elections over claims of a "hugely damaging" selection process. 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. [3] Indian officials wife distraught as his killer is freed, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Sandwell Council's directory of all local Councillors. They are councillor Joanne. Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article. Sandwell Council is awaiting a decision by the government as to whether commissioners will be brought in to help run it. Connor Jones, the former chairman of Sandwell Conservatives, pictured in May 2022. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Labour is going to be on a real sticky wicket this year in Sandwell and this latest cull doesn't really make sense. 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. The council's Tory group will instead be led by Archer Williams. The party said it could not comment on individual cases but said it takes "all complaints extremely seriously". 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. Other deselected councillors are Oldbury's Susan Downing, who was first elected in 2004, and Sharon Davies, who has been in Langley since 2012. A Labour source said that Councillor Steve Melia has been administratively suspended from the Labour Party, pending investigation. Read about our approach to external linking. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. 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. "Numerous times I was made fun of because of my age and my thick Indian accent. 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". He said he could not comment now as the contents of the report were "confidential". Rowley (two seats): Claire Mayo/Nagi Daya Singh. 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 lost all faith in the Conservative party.. Gulshan Tabassum is expected to take her place, making way for Councillor Eaves to stand in Princes End. 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. A Labour Party spokesman said: "The Labour Party takes all complaints extremely seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.". I have never been anti-Semitic. MORE: Suspended Labour councillor could stand for Tories. Councillor Yvonne Davies stood down as council leader in July after she was suspended by Labour over allegedly anti-Semitic posts. Read about our approach to external linking. Although he was not part of the council group, he knew what the councillors were doing day in and day out.. By 2014, all but two of Sandwell's 72 councillors were Labour members. The . Princes End: Gulshan Tabassum *standing in Wednesbury South and replaced by Susan Eaves. Ms Hadley has denied any wrongdoing and claims the tape featuring the comments was doctored. Councillor Melia continued to ask this question, before knocking the phone out of Mr Saunders hand. 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. Have I given you permission to film?". Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Mr Khan added: "My complaint against Joanne Hadley's racist remarks this is revenge for that.". Sandwell council said it had found one case and the infected person and their contacts were already self-isolating before it was confirmed. The councillor for Rowley had replaced former Conservative group leader David Fisher who was forced to resign over offensive social media posts. He said they came from a fake account, and he was a victim of a bid to undermine him. Connor Jones, the chairman for Sandwell Conservatives, was suspended on June 3 following complaints from several councillors over his conduct. "This is not the first time the national party has interfered in Sandwell and people are fed up of it. Laured Kalari said the tweets did not come from his account. On the parking tickets, Mr Hussain gave evidence denying he sought favourable treatment. Mr Hussain, now suspended by Labour, has previously denied any wrongdoing. "There's a lot of infighting in the national party and to put it bluntly I'm a casualty of war," Councillor Underhill said. 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. Cat-and-mouse chase with China in hotly contested sea, Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Mr Goudie said publication of the Gowling report was "strongly in the public interest". VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line. It was not my intention to hurt anybody.". Subscribe to our newsletter to get the day's top stories sent directly to you. It is not yet clear why. A spokesman for the authority said: We have been made aware of the matter and will be discussing the matter with the member in question. "To me that's terrible for the residents of Newton. 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. 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. "I am sorry if I got it wrong. 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. Two Peterborough councillors suspended. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 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 . 2023 BBC. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. A Sandwell councillor has been suspended from the Labour party after an alleged assault against a blogger. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Councillor Downing said that by selecting a male candidate in her place in Oldbury, Labour had broken its own gender equality rules that each three-member ward should have two female representatives. "I categorically deny that these were written by me and the views expressed, which are abhorrent, are not the ones I hold.". Meanwhile Labour Party member and a Sandwell businessman Basharat Khan has also been suspended over social media posts. Mr Saunders, 63, could be heard in the video saying to councillors: "Back to the future? Jeers can be heard in video following the incident and alleged that the incident was 'assault' and calling for the councillor to be suspended. Mr Jones has vehemently denied the claims. 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. In a statement, Mr Kalari said he would be seeking legal advice as well as contacting police and Twitter. He is the first Conservative councillor to speak out publicly against Mr Jones. "The council expects all members to abide by the standards set out in the Members code of conduct. 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. "The council will consider any appropriate action in accordance with its Ethical Framework that governs elected member conduct. Councillor Steve Melia was filmed during the altercation with a blogger. 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. 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. Councillor Yvonne Davies was suspended by the Labour Party over the allegations. A former leader of Sandwell Council has quit Labour, claiming the party was attempting to "bury the truth about wrongdoing" at the authority. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Author James Goudie QC suggested Labour's Mr Hussain committed six council code of conduct breaches. "It is understood a man in his 60s was assaulted by a man in his 70s following a verbal altercation. The video, at time of writing, has almost 90,000 views on Twitter. "There has been a culture of deceit and cover up at the council," she said. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. The provisions of Clause 3 shall not apply to: 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. 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. Senior Multi-Media Journalist@JamieB_Star. He claimed the tweets have appeared from a fake account, and that he was the victim of "internal Conservative fighting" set out to undermine, at the time, his leadership position. 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. Councillor Jones told the Express & Star that councillors "aren't able to comment on Labour Party business". A former deputy council leader "interfered" in parking tickets issued to members of his family, a lawyer has found. Send your story ideas to: [email protected], Commissioners may help run troubled council, Labour leader seeks change at troubled council, Council leader resigns for 'personal reasons', Council leader quits accusing colleagues of racism, 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, Air strikes pound Sudan capital as truce extended. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Sign up for our Birmingham Politics Weekly email updates for the latest politics news. You'll need photo ID to vote at a polling station at the Local Elections on Thursday 4 May 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. He said he had not been consulted and had not been aware of the price. 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. 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. A parallel police investigation ended in March with no further action. 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. 2023 BBC. A source claimed to the LDRS the suspension of Mr Jones may have also been related to a series of fabrication of tweets". The incident took place on Sandwell Council's property. A Sandwell councillor and a prominent Labour activist have both been suspended by the Labour Party, the Express & Star understands. On Monday, an official email purported to be from the Conservative party confirmed Mr Kalaris membership was fully restored after a five-month investigation. 2. The BBC has asked whether she remains on the council's cabinet but has not yet had a response. A leading figure for the Sandwell Conservatives has been suspended from the political party over alleged claims of harassment and bullying, while a former Conservative leader has been cleared by the party of wrongdoing. Mr Eling said he has been given no details of the complaint against him. "Ask anyone in Bristnall, they didn't want to lose me.". Strikes will also take place on the 7th, 14th, and 21st September. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Mr Kalari had continued to protest his innocence and deny the tweets came from his account. He said the wife's penalty was cancelled, while his son's was reduced. 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. Is climate change killing Australian wine? His statement maintained "the handle" on the tweets "did not match the handle on my verified account". Subscribe to one or all notification sources from this one place. over claims he had posted anti-Semitic tweets. A council leader has accused colleagues of racism, deceit and corruption as she resigned after being suspended over alleged anti-Semitic tweets. Conservative MP James Morris - who has long called for Mr Eling's resignation - said his leadership were the council's "darkest days". 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. She also claimed millions of pounds had been spent "with little regard to the public purse". 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. The council has been contacted for comment. The QC said this meant there was no misconduct issue by Mr Jones. Police told him in November 2015 he would face no action. 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. "But I can't accept they have put a man there, which has broken their own regulations. Two senior councillors in Sandwell have been suspended by the Labour Party. 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 use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. The chairmans role in their local party is to provide guidance, leadership, and ensure the local party is working towards its agreed vision and development plan. The Labour Party also launched an investigation into the borough's interim council leader, Councillor Maria Crompton. The Labour leader of Sandwell council has stepped down from his role rather than face a vote of no confidence in March. 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". Ward: Newton Party: Labour Party Peter Allen READ MORE:Tipton workers earning just 9.90ph making seats for 700k McLarens to strike over 'pay cuts'. Subscribe to one or all notification sources from this one place. "There were no reported injuries and no property was damaged. Councillor Maria Crompton It is also understood that two other Sandwell councillors - including a cabinet member - have been suspended by the Labour Party. Is climate change killing Australian wine? 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. In her resignation speech at Tuesday's cabinet meeting, she claimed "old white men" in her party "wanted to go back". I am a proud British Indian. Councillor Laured Kalari denied any involvement with the tweets that were published in 2020 and in 2021. Ward: St. Paul's Party: Labour Party Shaheen Akhtar. More cronyism? The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Ward: Hateley Heath Party: Labour Party Keith Allcock. Subscribe to one or all notification sources from this one place. Sandwell Council said it would co-operate with the police investigation revealed by the BBC in October 2014. . 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. endometriosis specialist nyc medicaid,