Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Ex-lover of Khalid Mahmood MP wants her job back

Ex-lover of Khalid Mahmood MP wants her job back

AN ex-lover of a Birmingham MP has told a tribunal that she was unfairly dismissed by her old boss as she made serious criminal claims about a female colleague, according to a report. 

Elaina Cohen, 62, the former parliamentary aide of Labour MP for Birmingham Perry Barr Khalid Mahmood, 60, said he offered her a job in 2003 and they began a relationship in 2004 which ended in 2005, reported the MailOnline.


However, she continued to work for him for 15 years until she was sacked in 2020. She previously claimed the MP ended their relationship when she refused to become his second wife.

Cohen also alleged that she faced racial and religious discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

Mahmood denied any wrongdoing and accused Cohen of 'making life difficult' for any women working for him out of jealousy or because she saw them as a threat.

He also said that Cohen branded him a 'womaniser' and 'Catfish Khalid' because he 'stalked' women online.

Earlier, the MP told the hearing how he was mentally worn down by 'bullying and harassment' and ended up needing counselling as a result.

According to Cohen, she was sacked after making 'protected disclosures' about a female colleague, named Saraya Hussain, who had previously been the operations director at a city-based charity, the Amirah Foundation.

In a series of protected disclosures in 2019 and 2020 made under whistleblowing regulations, Cohen told Mahmood about serious claims that she wanted the MP to investigate.

These included a claim that Hussain had allegedly fraudulently used House of Commons headed notepaper in a submission to the DVLA.

But, no criminal investigation or charges were ever brought against Hussain.

Cohen told the tribunal that the MP ostracised her and allegedly ignored her after the lockdown began.

The MP's barrister Tom Perry said that Cohen wanted to be back in a tiny room working with the respondent.

"At almost exactly the same time she considered her abuse so serious she went to the police station and asked for the respondent to be arrested," he said.

Martina Murphy, the barrister for Cohen, told the court that her primary case is she was automatically unfairly dismissed. "If she was wrong on that, we say that it was an act of harassment related to her protected disclosures, characterised in relation to race or religion," she was quoted as saying by the media outlet.

A decision, in this case, is expected within the next couple of months.

More For You

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana investigated over alleged attack

Axel Rudakubana (Photo: Merseyside Police)

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana investigated over alleged attack

POLICE are investigating an alleged attack on a prison officer by Axel Rudakubana, who is serving a life sentence for killing three girls in Southport last year.

The incident took place last Thursday (8) at HMP Belmarsh in London. It is understood that the officer had boiling water thrown over them. According to the Ministry of Justice, the officer was taken to hospital as a precaution and discharged the same day.

Keep ReadingShow less
India, Pakistan exchange fire as US urges restraint amid nuclear tensions

A man stands amidst the debris on the roof of a damaged house, following Pakistan's military operation against India, in Rehari, Jammu, May 10, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

India, Pakistan exchange fire as US urges restraint amid nuclear tensions

PAKISTAN launched counterattacks against India on Saturday (10) after three of its air bases were struck overnight, and as the conflict between the neighbours spiralled towards a full-blown war that sparked calls against "miscalculation".

Indian Wing Commander Vyomika Singh told a briefing on Saturday there were "several high-speed missile attacks" on air bases, but "limited damage" to equipment.

Keep ReadingShow less
India-Pakistan-clash-Reuters

India's air defence system intercepts objects in the sky during a blackout following multiple blasts in the city of Jammu, May 9, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

China may gain intelligence from India-Pakistan conflict: Report

THE CONFLICT between India and Pakistan over Kashmir presents an intelligence opportunity for China, as it may gather data from Pakistani use of Chinese-made fighter jets and other weapons during military action.

Security analysts and diplomats say China’s military has developed the capacity to monitor Indian military movements in real time, using its border infrastructure, naval presence in the Indian Ocean, and satellites.

Keep ReadingShow less
english uk

Currently, the requirement is equivalent to a GCSE-level qualification in English as a foreign language.

iStock

Migrants will need higher standard of English to stay in UK: Report

MIGRANTS coming to the UK will be required to meet a higher standard of English as part of Labour’s planned immigration reforms, according to a report.

A white paper expected next week will outline that those applying for a UK work visa must show a more advanced level of English, with the aim of improving integration and reducing net migration, The Times reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
David Lammy and S Jaishankar

The phone conversation came amid efforts by India’s strategic partners to reduce tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Getty Images

David Lammy speaks to S Jaishankar amid India-Pakistan conflict

INDIA’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar spoke with British foreign secretary David Lammy on Friday and said there must be “zero-tolerance” to terrorism.

The phone conversation came amid efforts by India’s strategic partners to reduce tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less