Reply to comment | Camden Review (beta)

MAYOR CRISIS: What chief executive told councillors

Published: February 2, 2010

CAMDEN'S chief executive Moira Gibb told all councillors in writing of the decision to remove support services from Mayor Omar Faruque Ansari on Friday. The Mayor - currently recovering from chest pains in hospital - wants to stay on in the role despite being arrested last week in relation to a benefits investigation. He has not been charged with any offence and denies any wrongdoing. This is the full text of Ms Gibb's letter to councillors:

"As you will be aware Councillor Ansari is currently facing allegations of benefit fraud made by the Department of Works and Pensions. I know we all note that he is disputing these allegations and that he has yet to be charged. He, despite indications to the contrary, has not resigned as either Mayor or as a Councillor. Indeed he has indicated to the media that he intends to carry on in both roles.

Clearly it is right that we respect the fact that Councillor Ansari has not been convicted of any offence. The Council has been careful to acknowledge this in the statements it has released to date. However the fact that he currently faces these allegations is having an impact upon the Mayoralty and its functioning. A number of his engagements have been cancelled by the organisation which invited him and his name removed from a number of invitation lists.

My role is to seek to protect Camden and its reputation and it is clearly, with these allegation hanging over him, untenable for him to continue to attend events as the Borough’s First Citizen. I note that spokespersons for our three largest groups have all expressed the view that he should resign.

I need to seek as far as possible to maintain the role of his office during this difficult period. As I have carefully explained to him therefore I have decided (having consulted with leading members) as an emergency measure to divert resources to the office of Deputy Mayor. Councillor Mitchell has kindly agreed to increase her workload.

It may be that the situation will change regarding the current allegations and I will of course then reassess the current management instructions. However until then I consider that these action are appropriate in order to ensure as far as possible business as usual in the Mayoralty Service."