A councillor admitted housing fraud in the once-troubled Tower Hamlets council in London’s East End when he appeared in court on yesterday.
Shahed Ali, a member of banned former Mayor Lutfur Rahman’s independent administration, was charged under the 2006 Fraud Act of failing to disclose that he owned two properties when he completed a housing application form for a council tenancy.
He failed to notify the council of a change in his circumstances between the date that he applied for and the date he accepted a council tenancy, Snaresbrook crown court was told.
Cllr Ali, who represents Whitechapel at the Town Hall and now sits as an independent with the remnants of Rahman’s banned Tower Hamlets First party, was “under a continuing duty to reveal any change of circumstance” which he failed to do and also failed to disclose that he owned property.
The local authority is now waiting for sentencing on October 27 before deciding what action to take against him.
Ali could be disqualified as an elected council member under the 1972 Local Government Act if he is convicted of any offence that carries a prison sentence, whether suspended or not, within five years before his election or since.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here