'Unacceptable!' London councillors caught campaigning to be MPs... in Bangladesh

Sabina Khan and Ohid Ahmed have been named as those throwing their hat in the ring abroad.

Ms Khan defected from Labour to the Aspire Party, led by convicted election fraudster Lutfur Rahman, last year.

The Aspire Party controversially fielded only Bangladeshi or Bangladeshi-heritage candidates at the last local elections in 2022.

Despite holding multiple council committee roles, Ms Khan failed to show up to more than half the meetings she was meant to attend, The Standard reports.

One local told the newspaper that she "cannot answer" constituents' concerns because she was abroad. Another blasted: "We elected her to represent us, not Bangladesh."

At the same time, Ms Khan has been running a Facebook page named Sabina Khan for Golapganj and Beanibazar to campaign for the Bangladesh National Party (BNP).

Independent councillor Mr Ahmed has also been seen speaking at BNP events.

"The path of change begins at home. Thank you Fulbari Union," one Facebook post reads, alongside a picture of him speaking in Bangladesh.

He also defected from Labour to Aspire - before ditching a party altogether last year.

According to The Standard, at least one other Tower Hamlets councillor has indicated they will stand.

Now, the Government has voiced its fury - though the council blamed Bangladesh for letting foreign citizens stand for election.

A Housing Ministry spokesman blasted: "This behaviour is unacceptable.

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"We are clear that councillors must be able to effectively serve the constituents who elected them.

"All councillors must uphold the Nolan principles including integrity, objectivity, accountability."

Earlier this year, ministerial envoys were sent into Tower Hamlets to monitor the council's "failing" governance.

A damning report found the council's decision-making was "dominated by an inner circle" led by Rahman, the fraudster mayor.

A spokesman for his Aspire Party said Ms Khan would step down as a councillor if elected in Bangladesh.

While Mr Ahmed said: "I have always believed that public service is about integrity, not rhetoric.

"Since 2002, it has been an honour to serve the people of Lansbury with dedication, compassion, and a genuine commitment to delivery.I will continue to do so until May, remaining focused on the needs of my constituents.

"My record of casework and community service reflects that commitment more than any words ever could."

A Tower Hamlets council spokesman said: "UK law does not automatically disqualify a person from being a councillor in Tower Hamlets solely because they are running for or hold an elected office in another country.

"The other country however may have laws that restrict dual mandates or foreign office-holding."