Gone 2. Update.

We have further information on the departure of Cllr S Mohammed.

It seems, it was a resignation, not a sacking.

On Thursday 17th October, Cllr Mohammed attended the meeting of the Labour Group. The mayor had urgent business elsewhere, meeting with a tenants group, so Mohammed was left on his own to defend his actions against some hostility within the Labour Group.

During the course of the meeting, we are told that Cllr Terry Paul urged Cllr Mohammed to, “consider his position”. With the mayor missing in action, there was little support for the cabinet member for housing.

On Friday, he offered his resignation.

The mayor then sent out her self-serving ‘Weekly News’ statement and Mohammed remained silent.

We understand that Mohammed was urged to put his side of the story and on Monday 21st October, the following statement was released. It seems unexpectedly erudite for him, so we must congratulate him on the improvements in his written English. It seems that his degree in Business Decision Management has not gone entirely to waste. (Remind us, where did you get that degree from?)

Dear Colleagues, 

In 2018 we inherited a housing service that was not fit for purpose. We have worked hard and made some important improvements since then. 

However, the Regulator of Social Housing’s judgement published last week clearly shows that the improvements I have been trying to bring across the entirety of housing services haven’t been delivered at the pace and scale required. 

As part of the administration, I have had the privilege to serve as the Cabinet lead for Housing Services for four years. Having reflected on the Regulator’s judgement and further work needed, I have decided to step down. The Mayor and Cabinet colleagues have my full support as they continue to drive the changes needed to build a fairer Newham for the people of our borough. 

We are all elected to serve our communities to improve their quality of lives and wellbeing. I will continue with that commitment to the residents of Canning Town North. 

Sincerely, 

Councillor Shaban Mohammed Canning Town North

In a form that has become typical of the current administration he begins by implying that nothing was his fault. “We inherited a housing service that was not fit for purpose. We have worked hard and made some important improvements since then.”

We would like to ask Cllr Mohammed, which report is he referring to? We haven’t been able to find it. That does not mean that it does not exist, but as he does not give any reference to justify his statement, it is difficult to verify.

That of course assumes that he is making reference to some objective judgement made by a competent body and he is not simply making a political slur.

But let us imagine for the sake of argument, that you inherited a poor department. When did you raise this and what did you do? We are delighted to learn that you made improvements to the housing department. Nobody is clear as to what they are, so if you would like to send us a list we’ll publish them.

However, the bottom line is, just what were you doing in office for six years?