The Labour Party is involved in a scandal about corruption. There’s a recording that seems to show a businessman connected to the party asking for £2 million from property developers who want to construct a skyscraper in London
Alleged Bribery Scheme Surrounding £500m Alpha Square Development”
Abdul Shukur Khalisadar, aged 38, allegedly asked for a £15,000 monthly fee. He claimed to represent influential people within the Labour Party in Tower Hamlets, East London. Khalisadar stated that this money would ensure approval for the Alpha Square project, a £500 million development on the Isle of Dogs.
This project includes a 65-story tower. In a recorded conversation leaked to a newspaper, Khalisadar discussed seeking a bribe from John Connolly, who leads development for Far East Consortium (FEC) in the UK. Khalisadar mentioned being introduced to Connolly in October 2015 by Shiria Khatun, who was then the deputy mayor of Tower Hamlets Council under Labour. Connolly noted in an internal memo that the deputy mayor indicated Khalisadar could assist in obtaining planning consent.
A Former Tower Hamlets Mayor Removed from Office for Election Fraud
Lutfur Rahman, previously a leader of the Labour Council, was ousted from his position as the elected mayor due to accusations of rigging votes. Rahman and his associates were found guilty of using unlawful methods, including creating fake voters, tampering with postal votes, and offering bribes to Muslim voters using funds intended for charitable purposes.
They also resorted to false accusations of racism against Rahman’s opponent and employed religious manipulation, telling Muslims they would face consequences unless they supported him in the 2010 election.
Although Rahman was expelled from the Labour Party, he continued his political career independently, forming his party called Tower Hamlets First. Despite the controversies, he won the mayoral elections in 2010 and 2014. However, in 2015, a judge revoked his title, citing Rahman’s blatant disregard for the law during his re-election campaign. The judge criticized Rahman for his evasiveness and inability to provide honest answers.
Alleged Corruption Scandal Unfolds in Tower Hamlets: Bribery Claims and Political Connections
Afterward, Mr. Khalisadar proposed a deal to the developers where he promised to secure planning approval for a fee of £2,000,000. He claimed that four Labour politicians would each receive £500,000 as part of the agreement.
Mr. Khalisadar, who operates a business center in Whitechapel, East London, has actively supported Tower Hamlets’ current Labour mayor, John Biggs. He has also had meetings with prominent national figures from the Labour Party, including Harriet Harman during her tenure as deputy leader.
This alleged corruption scandal in Tower Hamlets comes after the removal of Lutfur Rahman, a former Labour council member who later served as an independent mayor of the borough. Rahman was found guilty of election fraud two years ago. The conversation with Mr. Khalisadar was recorded by a consultant acting on instructions from FEC.
Response to Allegations: Tower Hamlets Corruption Investigation Unfolds
Instead of giving a bribe, they informed Mr. Biggs about the request. He then called in investigators from the accounting firm EY. A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said, “Their findings were reviewed by a leading QC who suggested we report the matter to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). We followed this recommendation, and the SFO forwarded it to the National Crime Agency for investigation. We are awaiting the outcome.”
Mr. Khalisadar stated to The Sunday Times that he had requested £2 million but denied it was a corrupt offer. He told the Mail that the recording was “incomplete and misleading,” and added, “I didn’t bribe anyone, and no contract of any kind was signed with the Far East Consortium.
This incident occurred two years ago, and neither the council nor the police have contacted me since then. It wouldn’t be appropriate to provide further details while an investigation is ongoing, except to say that I’m not involved in any wrongdoing.”
Miss Khatun, who resigned as deputy mayor earlier this year, denies any wrongdoing and denies all the allegations.
FEC did not respond to the Mail’s inquiries but told The Sunday Times that they had “acted promptly and professionally by reporting the allegations to the mayor of Tower Hamlets.”