Readers with long memories might recall the shambles of Tower Hamlets’ election night in 2014, when the count took more than five days to complete. The man who was re-elected as mayor that day was Lutfur Rahman who, the following year, earned the dubious distinction of being Britain’s first directly elected mayor to be removed after being found guilty of electoral fraud.
Rahman was slapped with a five-year ban on standing for elected office after the Election Court reported him to be ‘personally guilty’ of ‘corrupt or illegal practices or both.’ Now though, Rahman’s ban is completed, and his former office is up for grabs in May. And, having first reported that the ex-mayor was again featuring on local election material last March, now Steerpike can reveal that Rahman is expected to launch a comeback bid for the mayoralty ‘within weeks’, according to local sources.
Already the disgraced politician is appearing on fresh literature, with the slogan ‘Back Lutfur Rahman’ appearing on newly-dispersed leaflets.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in