Dan Peters 11 March 2014

Danny DeVito slur and racism claim mars chaotic council meeting

Opposing politicians chucked insults at each other as a Tower Hamlets council meeting descended into chaos.

During the filmed meeting, Labour councillor Joshua Peck called for a standards investigation after he claimed Independent councillor Anwar Khan had called him a ‘racist piece of s**t’ off-camera.

Earlier, Cllr Khan had been recorded mocking the appearance of Labour group leader, Cllr Sirajul Islam, labelling him Hollywood actor Danny DeVito.

Tensions boiled over when Cllr Peck switched off the microphone of Cllr Khan, who raged: ‘It [turning off his microphone] goes to the heart of the point I’ve been raising over the last four weeks that the Labour administration – the white elite – do not want talented Bengalis to speak.’

Cllr Lesley Pavitt, who chaired the meeting, struggled to keep control of the meeting, attempting at one point to get the council’s cabinet member for resources, Independent councillor Alibor Choudhury, evicted for ‘more than offensive’ comments.

Councillors disrupted the meeting by chanting, shouting and jeering at various points.

Photo: s_bukley/Shutterstock.com

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Social Worker

West Northamptonshire Council
£36,734 to £39,278
We are looking for Social Workers who enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and who are passionate about promoting independence and who share the vision of ‘Home First’ and reablement, to ensure people have choice and control over their own lives Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Transport Strategy & Road Safety

Warwickshire County Council
£76,594 - £84,443 per annum
We have a unique opportunity for you to shape, influence and create a better future for Warwickshire Warwickshire
Recuriter: Warwickshire County Council

Development Engineer

London Borough of Bexley
£34,476 - £39,777 per annum
The team requires someone who can inspect, measure and monitor highway works Bexley (London Borough), London (Greater)
Recuriter: London Borough of Bexley

Highway Asset and Development Manager

Bolton Council
Grade N Scp 50 £59,031 to Scp 53 £62,076, plus car allowance
To be responsible for leading, developing and delivering an effective, efficient and safe Highway Asset Management Service Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Bolton Council

Bridge Engineer

Somerset Council
£34,834 to £39,186
We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. Taunton
Recuriter: Somerset Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.