Labour MP accuses party of failing in ‘duty of care’ and threatens to take legal action

A LABOUR MP has claimed her ex-husband’s friends are among those organising an attempt to deselect her as she threatened the party with legal action.

Apsana Begum said Labour had failed in its “duty of care in relation to my health and well-being” after a trigger ballot that passed while she was off sick.

Ms Begum, who began a phased return to work yesterday, was signed off by a GP in June after an 18-month court battle and incidents of alleged domestic abuse. On July 5, it emerged she would face a vote of local party members to decide if she can stand at the next election, after the threshold for a ballot was reached. Labour sources said at the time that it was part of a “universal process faced by all Labour MPS”.

Ms Begum was cleared of housing fraud in June 2021 after a prosecution brought by Tower Hamlets council, which she said led to 18 months of sexist and racist online abuse. During the trial, she accused Ehtasham Haque – her exhusband and a former Tower Hamlets Labour councillor – of being emotionally abusive and controlling.

Mr Haque publicly denied the allegations. Labour re-suspended him in September 2021 after new allegations that were not part of the initial investigation.

Ms Begum wrote on Twitter: “I do not accept the legitimacy of a trigger ballot… which was, at the very least, conducted by those who are close to my ex-husband whilst I was certified sick.”

She wrote that she is “seeking advice and considering taking legal action”.

Ms Begum accused the leadership of a “lack of understanding regarding tackling domestic abuse, including post-separation harassment”.

Ms Begum alleged that after she was accused of withholding information to boost her chances of receiving a council flat, and on being signed off after going to hospital on June 12, there was “nothing” by way of contact from Sir Keir Starmer, the party leader, or his deputy Angela Rayner.

The Labour Party, London Labour and Mr Haque were contacted for comment.