Thursday 12 March 2015

Taguri may face 'official' Liberal Democrat candidate in Brent Central following donation allegations

Taguri emphasised his 'independent' credential and distanced himself from some Lib Dem policies before the allegations broke - the sign on his  campaign office has no prominent Lib Dem 'brand'
Few would have thought from Ibrahim Taguri's confident and articulate performance at last night's Sufra election hustings that he was about to be engulfed in a media storm over allegations LINK that he had offered a fake businessman a way around declaring donations to the party.

Taguri has now resigned from the party and therefore as an official Liberal Democrat candidate while investigations take place.

In a statement to the BBC he said he would continue campaigning as an independent until his name is cleared and he is readmitted to the party. Lord Ashdown on BBC Radio 4's today programme this morning suggested that he might be opposed by an official Liberal Democrat candidate.

Clearly this would throw the Brent Central campaign wide open with the potential for a split Liberal Democrat vote producing a primary battle between Dawn Butler and the Green Party candidate Shahrar Ali.

Shahrar Ali  commenting this morning said:
This election is now even more widely open than ever imagined. At a meeting last night Dawn Butler spoke of the 'elephant in the room' which was the 'clearing of her name' regarding expenses.

Today we learn  Ibrahim Taguri is under investigation for potential impropriety over advice on electoral donations.

Standing as an independent will not help him. The people of Brent demand nothing less than confidence that their politicians know right from wrong before presuming to serve them.

We need politicians we can trust.


40 comments:

Unknown said...

Dawn can talk about being 'cleared' by a quango all she likes, the reality of the situation is that getting a 2nd home on expenses when you can cycle or even brisk walk to parliament from westminster isn't morally justified and evidences greed.

Talking of Greed, Taguri standing against the libdems now as an indie shows where his priorities are - with himself.

Scott Bartle

Anonymous said...

We need decent, hard working, honourable servants in parliament. Not people in it for personal gain.
Where's the integrity?

Anonymous said...

Yes! Who in the Liberal Democrats might be candidates to fulfil that role?

1> Anton Georgiou, appears a nice lad and is notable in working hard for Teather.
2> Paul Lorber, practically a paper candidate in Brent North he may relish the opportunity to contest a seat where he could be in contention of winning.
3> Helen Carr, Liberal Democract Councillor in Brent. Reportedly said that she is in politics for 'cleaning up potholes and poo' and there is certainly poo to be cleaned up.
4> Alison Hopkins, ex Dollis Hill Cllr and community Champion, would have popular support.

Anonymous said...

Why can't they all just get their acts together! what a joke they are. No wonder Brent's often in the Rotten Borough's list in private eye. too many rotten eggs

Anonymous said...

Interesting times. Taguri is saying he will run as an independent but is looking forward to rejoining the LibDems once his name is cleared. LibDems are saying if he runs as an independent against a new official LibDem candidate he will be expelled from the party.

Anonymous said...

Labour should have selected someone not tarnished by expense scandal.

Once a cheat always a cheat !

Good Luck Taguri

Seems a few people are trying to discredit him !

Perhaps Sorry tricks ?

Didn't Labour recently pull a few Dirty tricks in Kenton ?


Unknown said...

Don't forget TUSC who are a socialist coalition standing in the Brent Central constituency along with over 120 other seats nationally. TUSC offer a strategy and programme to defeat the cuts, privatisation and Austerity by tackling tax evasion, financial corruption and sharing out the masses of wealth held by financial corporations, banks and the elite 1% super rich . We are an alternative to the self serving mainstream political parties based on principle and commitment. See more at https://tuscbrent.wordpress.com/ & http://www.tusc.org.uk/

Anonymous said...

Isn't Alison Hopkins still contesting the fact that voters kicked her out of Dollis Hill in 2014?

Anonymous said...

Yes perhaps if people vote for alternative partirá Rather than mainstream We would have selected politicians who actually care about local people.

Anonymous said...

Your 4th suggestion. Ssshhhh! You'll wake Alison's troll.

Anonymous said...

Interesting. Which way will these lot jump? They've lauded Taguri, especially Hopkins. So will they back him as an independent (and possibly face expulsion themselves) or back the official LibDem candidate , who I'm guessing will not be a local? And what of Taguri's ever-present organiser Alessandro? Is he employed by the LibDems or by Taguri himself?

Anonymous said...

Taguri and fake businessman (wasn't dressed as a sheikh by any chance?)?
Local election alleged irregularities?
Davani/Gilbert/Butt/Pavey and Rosemarie Clarke scandal?
Dodgy dealings by Ark Academy bigwigs?
Wembley stadium development money?
Cara Davani's Crufts entries suspiciously safe from poisoning?

Lutfur Rahman and Tower Hamlets, Eat your Heart Out!

Anonymous said...

Its all so corrupt.

Anonymous said...

Seems like Labour are worried with Dawn Butlers expenses little issue "Elephant in the Room ?"

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Poor old Taguri. Now he'll never have the chance to have a successful 30 year political career occasionally invading the odd unimportant country and then getting caught out pre-retirement by some fake businessman journalist as he tries to cash in his status by selling access, questions or lobbying opportunities for a few quid.
Still, maybe it's all for the good.
Mike Hine

Meg Howarth said...

'Elephant in the room' - astonishing the sense of self-righteousness of even one-time members of the political class - not to mention those who selected the former housing-expenses MP Ms Butler. Who can forget the cheque-waving Hazel Blears, yesterday across the media attempting to reassure the populace that our personal data are safe with GCHQ et al. Seems Ms Blears is now occupying the chair of the country's Intelligence and Security Committee recently left empty by one, Malcolm Rifkind. Follow the money to find the political class...

Unknown said...

Didn't Lembit Opik put himself forward
for this last time? I imagine he's still available! Anyone know their selection process?

Meg Howarth said...

Taguri has failed to alter his Twitter bio, which still reads 'Lib Dem PPC Brent Central', despite his resignation from Lib Dems.

Anonymous said...

Jo Grimond still around?

Anonymous said...

Well said Meg

Anonymous said...

Dawn Butler clearly lacks self-respect. Why should anyone vote for her, and, yes, shame on those who selected her.

Anonymous said...

Whats Jo Grimond known for?

Anonymous said...

Preceding Jeremy Thorpe.
(I'll anticipate your next question)
Having Rinka shot.
(I'll anticipate your next question)
Norman Scott's dog.
(I'll anticipate your next question)
Jeremy Thorpe's ex.

Great days. Great days.

Meg Howarth said...

LOL! Ms Butler - @DawnButlerBrent no less - has now blocked me on Twitter. The arrogance is nauseating - I've never even wanted to follow her - not to mention the her internet illiteracy: I can read her tweets (and those of James Denselow) by using another Twitter account.

Meg Howarth said...

PS Here's Ms ButlerBrent's latest tweet:

'Although I believe you should celebrate mothers at every opportunity. I want to wish all women a blessed day. And to simply say, thanks'.

Blocking makes you look foolish, Ms Butler.

Anonymous said...

'Wishing all women a blessed day' - what does Dawn Butler have to say about what is surely the most wretched MPs' expenses claim ever

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/564085/Rotherham-Labour-MP-Sarah-Champion-claims-poppy-wreath-on-expenses

Anonymous said...

PS I'm a woman, by the way, Ms Butler.

Anonymous said...

There seems to be a lot of blessedness lately. Do you pronounce it 'blessed' or 'bless-ed' and what on earth does it mean? Does it just mean 'nice', 'enjoyable' or is God in some way involved? Can you have a blessed day if you don't believe in Him/Her?
Mike Hine

Anonymous said...

Martin you are such a hypocrite - how is Meg not trolling - because she is on your team.

Anonymous said...

I guess claiming poppy wreath expense all in the call of duty.

What ever happened to kind giving without taking ?

Anyone involved in expense scandals should not have been selected to stand period.

What type of message does it send out to the electorate when even the list of candidates there is wrong doing amongst those on the list ?

Labour will hopefully be punished at the ballot box

Anonymous said...

It's all about you, Meg

Anonymous said...

Or de-blessed.

Anonymous said...

Here's the Twitter bio for one @DawnButlerBrent

'Parliamentary Candidate | Bespoke training provider/ Political Advisor/ Consultant/ Motivational Speaker'

Where to start? 'Bespoke Training Provider', perhaps...

Meg Howarth said...

The list grows: I've now been blocked by @BrentLabour and @Stewart4Pboro aka Stewart Jackson, Tory member of the Public Accounts Committee.

Meg Howarth said...

???

Meg Howarth said...

And you are, Anon 10.47?

Trevor said...

Meg,
I have also been blocked by Diane Abbot.
all because I expressed to her via twitter that I have no faith in the Labour Party.

Trevor said...

Meg,
I feel that she has blocked you because you are challenging her and questioning her sincerity?
if you were praising her from the rooftops and it helped her to get what she wants
the chances are you be a valued asset.
it hurts being blocked and especially when the people doing it belong to the party that claims to be on the side of the common people.
and when the common people question them and tell them what they don't want to hear
they resort to blocking.
while they leave themselves open to anyone that will help them to get what they want.
is it any wonder why many people doubt politicians?

Anonymous said...

Rumour has it that Dawn Butler blocks anyone who raises questions about either herself, Brent Labour or the Labour Party itself.