Former Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman has revealed he will appeal a High Court judgement that found him guilty of electoral fraud.
Rahman’s 2014 election victory in east London was last week declared void after judges concluded he had engaged in corrupt practices.
However the former mayor has consistently denied any wrongdoing and will now challenge the ruling.
I will be appealing the judgment that saw me removed as mayor last week. Deepest thanks to all who have extended your support and solidarity
— Lutfur Rahman (@LutfurRahmanTH) April 28, 2015
The barrage of discriminatory abuse I have received over the last few days on here and elsewhere will be referred to police for hate crime.
— Lutfur Rahman (@LutfurRahmanTH) April 28, 2015
A petition in favour of Rahman and calling for an end to the ‘anti-democratic coup in Tower Hamlets’ has achieved over 6,000 signatures.
A rally against the ruling is also due to take place tomorrow night, with Rahman himself speaking to protesters from around 6pm.
In a statement, Rahman’s party Tower Hamlets First claimed the ‘integrity of the court system was marred by the bias, slurs and factual inaccuracies in the election judgment’.
It continued: ‘We support Lutfur Rahman as a party because he has led in delivering record numbers of social and affordable homes, investing in our young people with maintenance allowances and university grants and standing up to Tory and Labour austerity.’
The Electoral Commission has pledged to ‘look to learn lessons’ from the judgement.
Visit The MJ for in depth coverage of the Tower Hamlets controversy.
