As many as 10 out of 18 staff involved in the production of Tower Hamlets Council’s weekly newspaper could lose their jobs if it is shut down, it has been claimed.

Cabinet member for resources Cllr Alibor Choudhury said at least 10 staff could lose their jobs if East End Life closes.

But a response to a Freedom of Information Request last year said there were 4.6 editorial staff employed on the newspaper.

Speaking at last night’s council meeting, Cllr Ahoudhury said: “Nothing – literally nothing – will happen to East End Life without views being taken into account.

“One of its key roles is promoting community cohesion - it has dedicated pages translated into Bengali and Somali”, he added.

Mayor Lutfur Rahman recently raided reserves to ensure the newspaper would continue to be printed into the next year.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles has pledged to outlaw council newspapers within the next year, singling out Tower Hamlets Council for criticism.