Wanted. A New Standards Board.

We didn’t see any press releases saying that almost the entire independent membership of the standards board had resigned, but looking at Newham London Twitter/X account, that seems to be the only explanation.

Newham is advertising for five new members.

We have to make a leap at this juncture, but it seems that following the resignation of the chair almost all of the independent members of the standards board resigned. 

The committee currently consists of Ashuk Hussain (independent member) and five councillors; Cllrs Easter, Islam, Ali, Chadha and Mirza.

Two months ago it included the Chair, Reza Choudhury, the Deputy Chair, Julie Van Bussel and Gary Moses. All now seem to have resigned.

Will the documents that applicants receive include an explanation of why they chose to go? We suspect not. A briefing which stated that in the event of a dispute that their reputations and integrity will be sacrificed to save the blushes of the mayor and chief exec. is unlikely to encourage many applicants.

Perhaps an opposition member might ask the mayor or chief exec, how many members of the Standards Advisory Committee have resigned in the last six months, and what reasons did they give for their resignations?