Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Rochdale council concealed sexual harassment complaint against mayor: Report

Ahmed’s tenure as mayor ended at the council’s annual general meeting last month

Rochdale council concealed sexual harassment complaint against mayor: Report

THE Labour leadership of Rochdale council withheld a sexual harassment complaint against its mayor, who subsequently obtained a powerful position, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

In February, while serving as the mayor of Rochdale, Ali Ahmed, faced allegations of inappropriate conduct towards a woman. However, these allegations were deliberately kept from his colleagues and the general public, the report alleged.


Ignoring the report allowed the Labour party to participate in the closely-contested local elections without anyscandal. Also, Ahmed completed his mayoral term without facing scrutiny last month.

Subsequently, he successfully obtained the chairmanship of a influential committee responsible for a swathe of local policy making, the Telegraph report added.

Earlier, the newspaper reported that the incoming deputy mayor, Shakil Ahmed, is also the subject of a harassment complaint.

Recently, Sir Keir Starmer was forced to address the fallout of numerous sexual misconduct cases across Labour.

The newspaper revealed that Labour insiders in Rochdale expressed their angertowards the leader of the borough council, Neil Emmott, for his handling of the cases.

One insider accused him of prioritising reputations and fostering a culture reminiscent of a 'boys' club'.

The focus, according to a source, seems to be more on how things will appear if the information becomes public, rather than on the well-being of the victims.

Ahmed's tenure as mayor concluded at the council's annual general meeting on May 17. He was immediately appointed as the chairman of the Rochdale north township committee.

However, during the local Labour party's AGM that preceded the meeting, there was no mention of the complaint against him.

Earlier, Emmott faced opposition for nominating Shakil for the deputy mayor position, which typically leads to assuming the full mayoralty after a year, after details of the complaint against him emerged.

Despite a boycott, he was elected uncontested.

A spokesperson for Labour in Rochdale stated that there were no outstanding complaints against the former mayor, as it had been 'withdrawn'.

According to a source familiar with the matter, the victim felt stressed and lacked support, leading to the withdrawal.

Just recently, Sir Keir urged individuals with allegations of sexual harassment against Labour politicians to come forward.

This call came after the suspension of MP Geraint Davies following reports of alleged unwanted sexual attention towards five younger female colleagues. Davies denies these allegations. General secretary David Evans had already ordered a review of Labour's internal processes.

In an email leaked prior to the Rochdale AGM, colleagues urged Emmott not to propose Shakil for the position, warning of the negative message it could send to women and abuse victims.

Sources accused the leadership of delaying the initiation of a formal investigation into Shakil until after the local elections, despite the complaint being filed in February, the report added.

Ahmed, Emmott and Shakil have declined to comment when approached by The Telegraph.

More For You

Nepal’s new leader pledges to act on Gen Z calls to end corruption

Officials greet newly-elected Prime Minister of Nepal's interim government Sushila Karki (R) as she arrives at the prime minister's office in Kathmandu on September 14, 2025. (Photo by PRABIN RANABHAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Nepal’s new leader pledges to act on Gen Z calls to end corruption

NEPAL’s new interim prime minister Sushila Karki on Sunday (14) pledged to act on protesters’ calls to end corruption and restore trust in government, as the country struggles with the aftermath of its worst political unrest in decades.

“We have to work according to the thinking of the Gen Z generation,” Karki said in her first address to the nation since taking office on Friday (12). “What this group is demanding is the end of corruption, good governance and economic equality. We will not stay here more than six months in any situation. We will complete our responsibilities and hand over to the next parliament and ministers.”

Keep ReadingShow less
UK secures £1.25bn US investment ahead of Trump’s visit

US president Donald Trump and UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer arrive at Trump International Golf Links on July 28, 2025 in Balmedie, Scotland. (Photo by Jane Barlow-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

UK secures £1.25bn US investment ahead of Trump’s visit

THE British government has announced over £1.25 billion ($1.69bn) in fresh investment from major US financial firms, including PayPal, Bank of America, Citigroup and S&P Global, ahead of a state visit by president Donald Trump.

The investment is expected to create 1,800 jobs across London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Manchester, and deepen transatlantic financial ties, the Department for Business and Trade said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nearly 150,000 join anti-migrant protest in London as clashes erupt

Protesters wave Union Jack and St George's England flags during the "Unite The Kingdom" rally on Westminster Bridge by the Houses of Parliament on September 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Nearly 150,000 join anti-migrant protest in London as clashes erupt

MORE THAN 100,000 protesters marched through central London on Saturday (13), carrying flags of England and Britain and scuffling with police in one of the UK's biggest right-wing demonstrations of modern times.

London's Metropolitan Police said the "Unite the Kingdom" march, organised by anti-immigrant activist Tommy Robinson, was attended by nearly 150,000 people, who were kept apart from a "Stand Up to Racism" counter-protest attended by around 5,000.

Keep ReadingShow less
Piyush Goyal

Piyush Goyal recalled that in February, Narendra Modi and Donald Trump had instructed their trade ministers to conclude the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by November 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Trade talks with US moving forward positively, says Indian minister Goyal

INDIA’s commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that negotiations on the proposed trade agreement between India and the United States, which began in March, are progressing in a positive atmosphere and both sides are satisfied with the discussions.

He recalled that in February, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and US president Donald Trump had instructed their trade ministers to conclude the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by November 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less
West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police said they were called just before 08:30 BST on Tuesday, September 9, after the woman reported being attacked by two men near Tame Road. (Representational image: iStock)

Woman raped in racially aggravated attack in Oldbury

A WOMAN in her 20s was raped in Oldbury in what police are treating as a racially aggravated attack.

West Midlands Police said they were called just before 08:30 BST on Tuesday, September 9, after the woman reported being attacked by two men near Tame Road. Officers said the men made a racist remark during the incident.

Keep ReadingShow less