Why is MP’s son who was caught with drugs still working in Commons?
A WESTMINSTER probe has been launched into why a Labour frontbencher has refused to sack her son from her office despite a drugs conviction.
Ishmael Osamor, 29, was caught with ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and cannabis worth £2,500 at a music festival in Dorset last year.
But despite his conviction for serious drug offences last week, he has been allowed to keep his taxpayer-funded job in the Commons office of his mother Kate Osamor, who is Labour’s international development spokesman.
Commons Speaker John Bercow yesterday agreed to an investigation into whether Osamor should have his permission to access the parliamentary estate revoked.
In a point of order following Prime Minister’s Questions, Tory MP Simon Hoare had asked what action the Commons authorities would take against Osamor.
He said: ‘In preserving what I hope all quarters of the House would agree is an important aspiration – namely, public confidence in this place and in those people who carry passes – what role do the House authorities have with regards to members of this place and those to whom they issue passes?’ Mr Bercow said it was a matter he would review.
Mr Hoare later said: ‘I am surprised more proactive action has not been taken by his employer, who happens to be his mother.’
Miss Osamor has repeatedly voiced her opposition to drugs and spoken out about the ‘failed war’ on them. Her constituency of Edmonton in North London is one of many suburban areas ravaged by the ‘county lines’ epidemic, where gang leaders recruit children as drug mules to ferry heroin and crack cocaine.
As a councillor in Haringey, North London, her son was charged with helping to improve an estate riddled with drug problems. In July, he asked council leaders for a £5,000 pay rise in recognition of his work in the area.
At the time, he was awaiting trial over four drugs charges. The local Labour party in Haringey has opened an investigation into the circumstances of Osamor’s selection as a councillor.
The probe is expected to focus on whether party members and voters were made aware of his upcoming trial.
Osamor resigned from the council this week, saying: ‘I sincerely regret, and apologise for, not informing my family and colleagues of the pending court case, and have stood down ... Haringey is a borough full of inspiring people, as well as challenges that I was proud to help tackle. I remain committed to continuing to help in any way I can.’
Miss Osamor has yet to condemn publicly or apologise for her son’s involvement with drugs, simply saying he had ‘admitted what he did was wrong and apologised’.
Osamor was given a two-year community order and told to pay £400 prosecution costs.
According to Commons expenses records, he earned between £30,000 and £35,000 in 2016/17.