In a brazen display of political cronyism, Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman has once again shown his disregard for ethical governance. The recent award of a £250,000 taxpayer-funded contract to Shamsul Haque—a close ally who once perjured himself in court to protect Rahman—betrays a disturbing contempt for public accountability.
Rahman’s political history reads like a litany of scandal. First elected in 2010, he was later banned from public office and disbarred as a solicitor following his 2015 conviction for electoral fraud. Yet, astonishingly, he clawed his way back to power, aided by loyalists like Haque, who seem willing to compromise every principle to maintain his influence.
The contract in question, ostensibly for “mosque engagement,” was awarded to the Tower Hamlets Council of Mosques, a small charity run by Haque. The decision to funnel nearly £250,000 to this project raises critical questions about the council’s priorities, particularly when residents in one of the UK’s poorest boroughs continue to suffer from rampant rubbish issues and staggering child poverty rates.
This is not an isolated incident but rather part of a well-established pattern. Rahman’s leadership has been dogged by accusations of mismanagement, favouritism, and dodgy deals with his inner circle. To direct such substantial public funds towards a personal ally—especially one with a history of dishonesty—suggests a systemic failure of governance and oversight.
The residents of Tower Hamlets deserve leadership that champions transparency and truly serves the public good. Instead, they find themselves governed by a regime that places personal loyalties above community welfare. Such flagrant misuse of taxpayer money not only shatters public trust but sets a dangerous precedent for governance in the borough.
It is high time this matter be investigated rigorously. Tower Hamlets’ citizens must demand better, insist on accountability, and ensure that their leaders are held to the highest standards of integrity. Only through vigilant public oversight can the borough begin to restore faith in its institutions and genuinely serve its people.
