Fury over Labour rift with Tower Hamlets chief executive
CALLS for a crisis council meeting over the future of chief executive Martin Smith at Tower Hamlets in East London have been made this-afternoon by Opposition councillors. Tories claim Labour council leader Lutfur Rahman last night told him to “consider your future”
CALLS for a crisis council meeting over the future of chief executive Martin Smith at Tower Hamlets in East London have been made this-afternoon by Opposition councillors.
Tories claim Labour council leader Lutfur Rahman last night told him to “consider your future.”
Tory group leader Peter Golds has now lodged a formal requisition to the Mayor’s Office for an extraordinary meeting because the next scheduled meeting of councillors isn’t till July.
CONSIDER FUTURE’
“Martin Smith was told by the Labour leader he should consider his future,” Cllr Golds told the East London Advertiser.
“He is highly regarded with an outstanding career in local government. He had a grip on council budgets when he was Finance director and held tight reins on spending.”
Most Read
- 1 Girl, 17, held on suspicion of terrorism offences after east London arrest
- 2 Whitechapel dessert shop fined over £5,000 for dumping waste
- 3 Update: Woman, 56, missing in Tower Hamlets found
- 4 Two teenagers charged after 12 phones nicked in stealing spree
- 5 The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee flypast: Where, and when, the planes will fly over north and east London
- 6 Cyclist in 'critical but stable' condition after Whitechapel lorry crash
- 7 Section 60 in place across Tower Hamlets after Stepney stabbing
- 8 'A horrific attack': Man suffers critical head injuries from Shoreditch fight
- 9 Can you answer these 10 GCSE questions designed for 16-year-olds?
- 10 Cyclist in hospital after lorry collision in Whitechapel
News of the move leaked out from last night’s Leaders’ Advisory Board in which Labour cabinet members pour over agenda papers with senior officers.
NO COMMENT’
Cllr Rahman was unavailable for comment when the Advertiser contacted his office at the Town Hall at lunchtime. A spokeswoman told the paper: “There is no statement on this issue at present.”
Mr Smith, who is believed to be on a salary approaching �200,000, was still fulfilling his duties as Election Returning Officer when he toured polling stations in the East End during today’s EU voting, according to sources at the Town Hall. It is believed he is now seeking advice from his union.