Labour stormed back in the Stepney Green by-election giving them the overall majority on Tower Hamlets council of just one.

East London Advertiser: Sabina Akhtar... winning Stepney Green for Labour [photo: Mike Brooke]Sabina Akhtar... winning Stepney Green for Labour [photo: Mike Brooke] (Image: Archant)

Their candidate Sabina Akhtar took 1,643 votes, well ahead of nearest rival Abu Chowdhury’s 1,472.

She got 42 per cent of the ward vote.

It was a welcome relief for Labour battling to claw back its credability in its traditional heartland after a drubbing last time from Alibor Choudhury, who was banned from office by the High Court in April along with renergade ex-Mayor Lutfur Ramman for malpractice.

Labour group leader Rachael Saunders was overjoyed at the declaration.

“We have won a brilliant new councillor which has given us back our majority,” she told the East London Advertiser. “Now we’ll sort out the council.

“It’s taken a while for people to get to know her after last year’s defeat, but she’s a good campaigner and this is a great result.”

Sabina Akhtar is a hematologist by profession who lives on Mile End’s Brtitish Estate and grew up in Stepney.

She has now reversed Labour’s misfortunes with her win.

Result for Stepney Green ward:

Sabina Akhtar (Lab) elected—1,643

Abu Chowdhury (ind)—1,472

Kirsty Chestnutt (Green)—272

Paula Shea (Ukip)—203

Safiul Azam (Con)—153

Will Dyer Lib Dem)—114

Jessie Macneil-Brown (Something New)—40