Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur faces fresh election fraud claims

Fresh allegations of fraud and voter intimidation in last May’s Tower Hamlets election have been brought against beleaguered Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman.

The new claims that will be deliberated upon in an election court hearing range from a Labour supporter having been spat in the face to free lunches being offered to draw votes.

But Britain’s first Muslim mayor with popular mandate has issued a statement rejecting the claims as unsubstantiated, cynical, politically motivated attacks, ‘The Guardian’ said on its website.

The Bangladeshi-born Rahman, who ran for the post as an independent candidate, also faces accusations that his canvassers were paid by his election agent in the lead-up to the election in the east London borough.

‘The London Evening Post’ said Election Commissioner Richard Mawrey QC was also hearing a High Court claim brought by residents who wanted a rerun of the election on the grounds that Rahman beat Labour rival John Briggs by means of electoral fraud.

The trial will take place on Feb 2.

The venue for the hearing has been moved from Tower Hamlets to the Royal Courts of Justice in central London as the former could not be regarded as a “neutral venue”, 'The Guardian' reported.

Four Tower Hamlets residents moved the petition against Rahman.

In November, a government-commissioned investigation found evidence of financial irregularities in the Tower Hamlets council. It also found a “lack of transparency" in the process of awarding grants.

The probe accused Rahman of 'inappropriate expenditure' of public fund on his political advertising.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has been quoted to have described him as a “medieval monarch” steeped in a “culture of cronyism”. He also dubbed Tower Hamlets a “rotten borough”.

Last month, a team of three commissioners took over the power to give grants and approve property sales from Mayor Rahman.

According to latest allegations, Rahman’s associates spent £954,000 to pay lunch clubs directed particularly at the Bangladeshi community.

Three witnesses claimed that people had admitted being paid by a close associate of Rahman to canvass voters.

His supporters had allegedly used intimidation outside nine polling stations.

He is also accused of using 'spiritual influence' in violation of the law.

If found guilty, the election could be declared void and those convicted would be barred from office.