One of Britain’s youngest councillors, who dramatically resigned from the Labour Party this week amid racism and bullying allegations, has spoken out for the first time about her ordeal.
Daisy Blakemore-Creedon, 19, quit the Labour group on Peterborough City Council after facing racist abuse for backing CCTV in taxis.
The teenage politician told GB News that she faced significant blowback after campaigning for the measure for the city’s licensed mini cabs, many of which are operated by Pakistani men.
Speaking exclusively to this broadcaster, Blakemore-Creedon said that fellow councillors slandered her family as “targeting Asian labour councillors”.
Daisy Blakemore-Creedon alongside Rachel ReevesLINKEDINBlakemore-Creedon faced abuse after she campaigned for the CCTV measure, which was voted down in December after over a year of campaigning and lobbying.
GB News understands that some licensing officers in Peterborough shared support for political efforts to give greater oversight and surveillance of the minicabs.
But this broadcaster can reveal that when the proposed motion was approved to be voted on, deputy leader of the council, Mohammed Jamil, wrote to a group of Labour politicians: “Licensing Committee- what have you done tonight.”
He added: “We are now going to lose our councillors in Central, North and Park wards at the next election. All three wards are taxi driver heavy.”
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A stock image of a taxi rankGETTYThe teenage politician told GB News: “That comment really shocked me. We proposed an important measure for public safety, but our deputy leader seemed only concerned about losing votes from taxi drivers.”
Daisy said that she also faced accusations of racism for backing the probe.
In her resignation statement posted on X, she said: “These accusations [of racism] are completely unfounded and deeply hurtful.”
“I have also raised a formal complaint regarding these matters, which has now been delayed twice, reportedly due to concerns about the political impact on the party, rather than a focus on justice or resolution.”
GB News has seen correspondence from the Labour group whip Asim Mahmood who told Blakemore-Creedon that her complaint about being targeted with malicious accusations of racism was delayed for political reasons.
GB News will host Blakemore-Creedon on Saturday Morning Live from 10am.
Daisy Blakemore-Creedon campaigning in the 2024 General ElectionTWITTERMahmood told the young councillor that he would delay until after the recent local elections, when Anna Smith was up for election as the mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.
Mahmood said: “I have decided that I will issue my decision after Anna’s election due to the potential negative impact it may have.”
He added: “Apologies I know its not ideal, but we must also protect the party’s position politically.”
Anna Smith lost the mayoral election to Conservative Paul Bristow.
Daisy told GB News that the lengthy delay to her complaint meant that her reputation was being attacked without the party authorities coming to her defence amid a smear campaign.
“It was horrendous,” she said, “myself and my family were falsely accused of racism and the party would rather win over some votes rather than do the right thing and deal with this issue.”
Tariq Mahmood
Daisy, who has a Jewish mother, was subjected to racist attacks because of her stance on minicab surveillance.
In one case, a major Labour supporter in Peterborough accused her of being “on the payroll” of Benjamin Netanyahu.
Tariq Mahmood, who wrote the comment on a Facebook post seen by GB News, made the antisemitic slur about control from the Israeli PM despite Blakemore-Creedon never commenting on Israeli affairs.
“My commitment is to the people of Peterborough, and that remains my focus. I was deeply hurt by the racist slur directed at me.
“What concerns me most is the delay in addressing this issue, which suggests a prioritisation of political image over principle. It’s vital that all parties respond swiftly and fairly to any form of discrimination.”
GB News can reveal that the man behind the comment, Tariq Mahmood, is a convicted vote rigger.
Blakemore-Creedon said: “A public safety discussion was unfortunately used as a vehicle for an anti-Semitic remark targeting my Jewish heritage. This was extremely distressing. I brought the matter to the attention of the Labour group because I believe in accountability and fairness, but I have yet to see any meaningful action taken.”
She continued: “I’m so disappointed with all this because my morals have always been Labour. Labour is in my blood. My grandfather was a major supporter. But my entire family has been left really disappointed as well. We hoped for better from a movement we believed in.”
GB News can also reveal that senior Labour Party figures, including the city’s MP Andrew Pakes, attended a celebration bash put on by a taxi lobbying group after the motion was voted down.
The Peterborough Private Hire Association Taxi Association hosted Labour councillors and Pakes in January for a meal paid for by some of the city’s taxi firms.
One Labour councillor, Shabina Qayyum, commented on a social media post about the celebratory meal: “Thank you so much for your hospitality and generosity. I really enjoyed our conversations and you are all such a lovely bunch.”
Andrew Pakes MP wrote: “Always a pleasure to help.”
GB News contacted Asim Mahmood and Tariq Mahmood for comment.
The Labour Party and Peterborough council leader Dennis Jones were contacted for comment.
