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. 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'. 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,. Connor Jones, the chairman for Sandwell Conservatives, was suspended on June 3 following complaints from several councillors over his conduct. "Ask anyone in Bristnall, they didn't want to lose me.". A council leader has accused colleagues of racism, deceit and corruption as she resigned after being suspended over alleged anti-Semitic tweets. 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 One Way of Bernard Street, West Bromwich will be suspended for the duration of the event. 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. Ms Hadley has denied any wrongdoing and claims the tape featuring the comments was doctored. 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. 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. Two senior councillors in Sandwell have been suspended by the Labour Party. Sandwell Labour councillors will shortly need to elect a new council and Labour group leader, after Cllr Steve Trow dramatically resigned last week. 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. Read about our approach to external linking. "I categorically deny that these were written by me and the views expressed, which are abhorrent, are not the ones I hold.". Councillor Yvonne Davies stood down as council leader in July after she was suspended by Labour over allegedly anti-Semitic posts. 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.". "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. More cronyism? 2023 BBC. Author James Goudie QC suggested Labour's Mr Hussain committed six council code of conduct breaches. Councillor Steve Melia was filmed during the altercation with a blogger. Princes End: Gulshan Tabassum *standing in Wednesbury South and replaced by Susan Eaves. The authority said it had received no complaint about Ms Hadley, who is cabinet member for safer communities, or the recording, when it was first passed to BBC Radio WM in August. 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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.". Mr Hussain, now suspended by Labour, has previously denied any wrongdoing. "This is not the first time the national party has interfered in Sandwell and people are fed up of it. 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The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. (Image: Julian Saunders) A Sandwell councillor has been suspended from the Labour party after an . As always you can unsubscribe at any time. 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. Councillor Steve Trow, Sandwell. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. "They are replacing me with someone who is bottom of the list when it comes to doing casework. Current council leader Kerrie Carmichael said her vision for Sandwell was for a borough totally focused on . Senior Multi-Media Journalist@JamieB_Star. Ward: Great Barr with Yew Tree Party: Conservative Party Zahoor Ahmed . 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. A parallel police investigation ended in March with no further action. Satpal Singh, a former Conservative councillor for the Rowley ward, alleged Mr Jones had belittled non-white Conservative candidates and members contesting the May local elections in the hope they would leave the party. They added another year to their 48 year control of Sandwell council. "I am sorry if I got it wrong. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The incident took place on Sandwell Council's property. "The council expects all members to abide by the standards set out in the Members code of conduct. knocked a phone out of the hands of a blogger. Last month it was revealed a complaint had been made to Labour officials accusing Councillor Hadley of making racist comments in a private conversation. Mr Hafeez, who was arrested last year, provided no evidence to the council's solicitors despite requests, the QC wrote. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Ward: Newton Party: Labour Party Peter Allen 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. Ward: Hateley Heath Party: Labour Party Keith Allcock. 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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Mr Kalari, a former Conservative leader and councillor, had vehemently denied making a series of offensive messages on Twitter, posted in 2020 and 2021. 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. 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 Joanne Hadley, cabinet member for safer communities who represents Great Bridge ward, has been suspended following allegations of racism, the Express & Star understands. Laured Kalari (left) has been suspended as leader of the Conservative party in Sandwell. The provisions of Clause 3 shall not apply to: "There has been a culture of deceit and cover up at the council," she said. Councillor Jones told the Express & Star that councillors "aren't able to comment on Labour Party business". 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". Tipton Green councillor Ian Jones is unable to stand for Labour as he is currently suspended. Two senior councillors in Sandwell have been suspended by the Labour Party. 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. I haven't made the decision to go in there, it was the Labour Party. It was not my intention to hurt anybody.". Labour holds 62 of the 72 seats, while six vacant seats were all previously Labour held. The council supports freedom of expression and speech and the rights of the press to attend council meeting that are held in public.". Mr Khan added: "My complaint against Joanne Hadley's racist remarks this is revenge for that.". Sandwell Council has partnered with digital services and consulting company Infosys to launch a website that will offer local people free skills training courses from beginner to advanced level. Nicola Richards, Tory MP for West Bromwich East, said she was "shocked" at the content. Councillor Maria Crompton It is also understood that two other Sandwell councillors - including a cabinet member - have been suspended by the Labour Party. The Labour Party also launched an investigation into the borough's interim council leader, Councillor Maria Crompton. Analysis: Rob Mayor, BBC Sunday Politics and BBC WM Black Country political reporter. 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. 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. The tweets have since been deleted. 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.". He is the first Conservative councillor to speak out publicly against Mr Jones. 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". By 2014, all but two of Sandwell's 72 councillors were Labour members. Councillor Steve Eling said he does not know the details of the complaint against him. 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. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. There are three independent councillors and one for the Brexit 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. 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. 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. His case has been referred to the National Constitutional Committee, Labour's ultimate disciplinary body. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Councillor Susan Eaves has been deselected in Rowley, although it is understood she has now been named as the candidate for Princes End. The council confirmed the incident took place on council property. Subscribe to our daily newsletter! Meanwhile Labour Party member and a Sandwell businessman Basharat Khan has also been suspended over social media posts. It is understood that one new candidate, Hezera Zehora, has already dropped out in Wednesbury South. Councillor Melia continued to ask this question, before knocking the phone out of Mr Saunders hand. His statement maintained "the handle" on the tweets "did not match the handle on my verified account". Connor Jones, the former chairman of Sandwell Conservatives, pictured in May 2022. 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. Subscribe to one or all notification sources from this one place. The council will consider any appropriate action in accordance with its Ethical Framework that governs elected member conduct. 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.
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