Political

Liberal Democrat Mayor suspended over benefits investigation

From the Camden New Journal:

THE Mayor of Camden, Councillor Omar Faruque Ansari, has been suspended from the Liberal Democrat group tonight (Monday) after he was questioned by benefit investigators.

Council leader Keith Moffitt said he would remain suspended until “a serious investigation” was complete. It is understood Cllr Ansari was questioned by investigators from the Department of Work and Pensions today, although released without any charges being brought. The investigation, however, is ongoing. It does not relate to council funds…

Cllr Moffitt said in a statement tonight: “Councillor Omar Faruque Ansari has today been suspended as a member of  the Liberal Democrat Group on Camden Council pending the outcome of a serious investigation.  The decision was taken at a meeting of the Liberal Democrat Group held today and takes effect immediately. Cllr Ansari has been suspended in the light of allegations being investigated by the Department of Work and Pensions. The allegations are unrelated to his position on the council. I have no further comment to make at this stage.”…

Conservative leader Councillor Andrew Marshall, whose party shares power with the Lib Dems at the Town Hall, said: “These are serious allegations and it would not be right to comment further given the ongoing investigation. In this country everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Benefit fraud is pernicious crime and all of us in public office have a duty to maintain the highest standards of probity.”

You can read the full story here.

2010 general election update:

The elections in Camden are set to make history this year because for the first time the borough’s mayor will not be announcing the results.

Cllr Omar Faruque Ansari has refused to step down as mayor after he was arrested in January over a disability benefit fraud resulting from an investigation by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The mayor is traditionally the returning officer in the two parliamentary seats in Camden, responsible for overseeing the elections and announcing the results.

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