Labour councillor: I was ousted for being outspoken

A LABOUR councillor who defended Sarah Champion, made to quit as a shadow minister by Jeremy Corbyn for warning that there is a “problem” with Pakistani men grooming white girls, has herself been forced out.

Amina Lone, a 45-year-old Muslim, who is a councillor in the Hulme ward in Manchester, said earlier this month that Ms Champion was being “punished” and used as a “scapegoat” for speaking out.

She has now been barred from standing as a councillor in next year’s local elections, with the authority claiming that the decision was due to poor attendance and her campaigning record. However, Ms Lane suggested that her work on gender equality in the Muslim community was one reason she was pushed out and that her deselection was the result of a faction looking to “get rid of an outspoken woman”.

She added: “It is curious this action has been taken at a time when I am loudly championing gender equality in faith communities.”

One veteran activist had written to the party, calling it “one straw too many”, the Manchester Evening News reported. “Councillors who do not fit in and comply are sidelined or worse still, removed,” the activist said.

A Labour Party spokesman said: “The process for selecting local government candidates is clear and outlined in the party’s rule book, including the right to an appeal with the regional board.”