Tower Hamlets Independent group organised a press conference on 25th of March in a restaurant at
Whitechapel where the councillors questioned about the competency of the Mayor in delivering this
year’s budget. They also mentioned that even though he had 242 pounds for this year and reserve
71 million pound, yet he completely failed to deliver a budget which reflects the interests of the
community.
As a result of this conflicting budget, many of the services has been limited of curtailed such as
service for children who are suffering from mental health, Incontinence laundry service, service for
the autistic children and others. The new Mayor also increased the council tax by four per cent and
still the budget showed a deficit of 63 million pounds.
Independent group leader Cllr Alaur Rahman fiercely condemned the budget and told that this
budget again demonstrated the anti-community face of John Biggs. He also said that this budget is a
result of the plot with Tory Party in the last election. He also said that this budget is not to preserve
the interest of general public but to appease Tory Party.
He also said that Independent group offered a budget which was very community-friendly, where
there was no cut children services, no increase for council tax, no closure of Queen Mary Nursery
and there was no cut for free adult social care service and many more which is always what the
demands of general public.
However, without listening to this community friendly budget, Mr Biggs made a plot with Tory party
and passed the budget which by no means reflects the interest of the community.
The presented Independent group councillors fiercely condemned and rejected the budget which
has failed to demonstrate the interest of general public.
On an another press release, Tower Hamlets Independent Group has expressed their pleasure as no
evidence was found in the 12 month long investigation by Met police.
Independent group leader Cllr Alaur Rahman expressed his deep pleasure at the police report and
mentioned that election law doesn’t necessary mean to control freedom of choice of general people
or limiting their political right.
He also emphasised that, Tower Hamlets Independent Group always maintained that all the charges
brought against the former Mayor Lutfur Rahman would be proven false. The report of the special
police inquery team has reflected that truth.
On the other hand, Tower Hamlets Independent Group organised a protest meeting on 19th of March
to protest the gathering of Islam phobic Britain First.
Guests and leaders who were present at the meeting included Reverend Allan Green, Executive
Director of East London Mosque DelwarKhan, Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs, Umesh Desai and
other trade union, business and community leaders.
Other participants were Cllr Abdul Asad, Cllr Ansar Mustakim, Cllr Rubina Khan, Cllr Mahbub Alam,
Cllr Ahad Ahmed, Cllr Mayum Miah, Cllr Aminur Rahman, Cllr Shah Alam, Cllr Golam Kibria
Chowdhury, Cllr Suluk Ahmed and others.
Guests who addressed the audience included Cllr Alaur Rahman, Delwar Khan, John Biggs, Umesh
Desai, AK M Abu Taher Chowdhury, Allan Green, and others.
The speakers fiercely condemned the recent gathering of Britain First in front of East London and
urged the general public for resistance should there be any islamophobic action or any religiously
hatred in the future.