SUPPORTERS of Lutfur Rahman have mounted an email campaign urging the replacement candidate council leader Helal Abbas not to accept the nomination, claiming it will split the party in Tower Hamlets.
He has been asked to run by Labour HQ today instead of Mr Rahman today.
A sample message posted on Lutfur Rahman for Mayor’s web page said: “I am asking you to stand by Tower Hamlets Labour Party members and not to accept the NEC’s invitation. You know very well the division your candidacy would cause in the local Party and the community which can only benefit our opponents.”
It adds that the former council leader thanks people for their support.
Mr Rahman was the clear winner in the party’s selection securing 433 votes from the 881 members who voted.
Supporters of Mr Rahman have also been asked to contact Ann Black who is the chair of Labour’s National Executive Committee to support the local party’s choice and drop its decision to field Mr Abbas.
London Assembly member John Biggs, who came second in the selection process, said he would support the party’s candidate.
The deadline for nominations for candidates have to be received by Tower Hamlets council by Friday.
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