CONFUSION OVER MAYOR OF CAMDEN'S POSITION AFTER BENEFIT FRAUD ALLEGATIONS
Published: January 27 2010
By RICHARD OSLEY
MAYOR of Camden Omar Faruque Ansari was said today (Wednesday) to be still considering whether to stay on in the job amid the controversy surrounding benefit fraud allegations made against him.
As first revealed in a New Journal exclusive, he was arrested on Monday at the Town Hall and was questioned by police and members of the Department of Work and Pensions for several hours. He was released on bail but was later suspended from the Liberal Democrat group pending the outcome of the investigation.
Yesterday (Tuesday), Cllr Ansari declared his innocence to the New Journal but indicated that he would step down as Mayor while he cleared his name.
He said he would maintain his “dignity” and was keen to “put Camden first”.
But the New Journal has learned that when he approached the council's chief officers about his position, he suggested only to leave on a temporary basis.
Council sources said that Cllr Ansari had expected it to be possible to return to the Mayor's parlour in March, when he expects to be exonerated following further investigation into benefits payments made to him in relating to a neck injury. But council rules do not allow for a time-limited resignation.
The Town Hall has confirmed it has not received a full letter of resignation from Cllr Ansari, who lives in Kentish Town, the ward he has represented since 2006.
Members of both the Conservative and Labour parties are monitoring developments closely with several councillors talking about the possibility of an emergency meeting being arranged.
Updates at www.camdennewjournal.com and Thursday's New Journal for more
See also:
MAYOR: I'M NO BENEFITS CHEAT AND I WILL CLEAR MY NAME
CNJ EXCLUSIVE: LIB DEMS SUSPEND MAYOR OVER BENEFITS INVESTIGATION