Green Party say that Lambeth Council is using shocking tactics to avoid a by-election in Clapham Park

The Green Group of Councillors say that they have been made aware of “shocking attempts by the Lambeth Labour Group of Councillors to persuade disgraced former Labour Councillor Irfan Mohammed (pictured above) to attend Lambeth Council’s Full Council meeting next week on 15th October.”

They added: “This is despite Cllr Mohammed being charged with multiple sexual assault charges and awaiting trial in 2026.”

They told Brixton Buzz:

Under Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972 if a Councillor fails to attend any council meetings for six months they cease to be a member of the local authority, and a by-election is automatically triggered.

The Green Group have been informed that concerted attempts are being made by senior members of Lambeth Labour Group to persuade Cllr Mohammed to attend the Full Council Meeting and sign in, even just for 5 minutes to avoid the by-election being triggered.

Cllr Nicole Griffiths, Green Party councillor for Streatham St Leonard’s ward, said:

“It is an absolute disgrace for a Labour Council that supposedly champions and prioritises their Violence against Women and Girls strategy to be playing grubby party politics like this and trying to persuade a Councillor facing the most sickening allegations to turn up to the Town Hall just to avoid an embarrassing by-election which they are clearly worried they would lose.

Rather than trying to persuade Irfan to turn up, Lambeth Labour should persuade him to stand down immediately due to the seriousness of these allegations.

He should not continue as a Councillor if he can’t fulfil his duties and serve his Clapham Park constituents and a by-election should be called immediately”

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