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

Public Health Principal

Oxfordshire County Council
£63576 - £67003
Oxfordshire County Council is seeking a skilled Public Health Principal for a full-time, fixed-term maternity cover. Based in Central Oxford with hybrid working (approximately two days per week in-office), this senior role leads the Live Well Promote and Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Senior Property and Asset Manager - Braintree District Council

Essex County Council
Negotiable
Senior Property and Asset Manager - Braintree District CouncilBraintree District CouncilPermanent, Full TimeFrom £65,433 to £71,436 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Planning Projects Officer

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Help shape the future of our borough - from idea to delivery, you'll lead projects that make our neighbourhoods greener, fairer and better places to l England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Deputy Procurement Manager

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£46,206 - £55,992 per annum
Can you see yourself playing an important role in leading the team who procure private sector properties (PRS) and long-term temporary accommodation for homeless families across Richmond and Wandsworth? If so, this is a unique opportunity to work for a gr London, Wandsworth
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Residential Assistant

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £25395.00 per annum
Residential AssistantPermanent, Full Time£25,081 up to £25,395 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner