Tower Hamlets Council refuses to confirm investigation into taxi fares

Tower Hamlets Council has refused to confirm whether an investigation has been launched into taxi fares for the deputy mayor.

Cllr Ohid Ahmed was criticised after taking a cab – at the taxpayer’s expense - to an event celebrating civil rights activist Jesse Jackson’s birthday, organised by the Labour Party.

The trip from the town hall in Poplar to the function in Euston cost the council £140.

Tory group leader Cllr Peter Golds requested a formal investigation into the use of public money to attend a “political” event. But a council spokesperson declined to comment on whether the request had been heeded.

Cllr Ahmed insisted his decision to take a taxi was a result of his hectic schedule.