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

School Crossing Patrol Officer

Essex County Council
Up to £13.4600 per hour
School Crossing Patrol Officer Chelmsford, Essex Part-Time, Temporary 7.5 hours per week, term-time only Up to 6 Months £13.46 PAYE / £17.24 Umbrella England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - Mid Essex (Various Teams)

Essex County Council
£38487 - £51834 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Interviews will be held in person at County Hall on 8th June 2026.We're an adult social care service that wants to see citizens of Essex have as much England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Administrative Officer

Durham County Council
£26,403-£28,598 (pro rata)
Administrative Officer Permanent, Full Time, Term Time Only Required to start September 1st 2026   The Headteacher and Governors of this Outstanding M Seaham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Assistant Psychologist

Durham County Council
Grade 8 - £32,597 - £36,363
This is a 2-year post within the Educational Psychology Service which is part of the SEND and Inclusion Service for Durham’s Children and Young People Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Structures Assistant Engineer

Durham County Council
£35,142 - £39,152
Highways Services re looking for a Structures Assistant Engineer to join their Highway Team.    WHAT IS INVOLVED? You will be responsible for providin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner