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

Child & Young Persons Support Manager

Essex County Council
£48205.0000 - £57988.0000 per annum
Child & Young Persons Support Manager - Children with Disabilities Team, North EssexPermanent, Full Time£48,205 to £57,988 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Recovery Housing Caseworker

Middlesbrough Council
£31,022 - £32,597
We have an exciting role on offer within our Public Health Service as a Recovery Housing Caseworker. Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: Middlesbrough Council

Principal Public Protection Officer (Environmental Protection)

Middlesbrough Council
£45,091 - £50,269
We have an exciting role on offer within our Public Protection service Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: Middlesbrough Council

Domestic Abuse Financial Inclusion Support Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 9 - £35,412 - £39,152
This role presents a valuable opportunity to offer advice and practical support to individuals affected by domestic abuse, including economic abuse, w Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Teaching Assistant

Durham County Council
£28,142- £31,022
Enhanced Teaching Assistant (Nursery) Permanent, Full Time, Term Time Only +2 weeks. Required to start 1st September 2026.   The governors of Timothy Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner