EXCLUSIVE: Mayor pleads not guilty to benefits charges in court

Wednesday May 5, 2010

CAMDEN Mayor Omar Faruque Ansari has denied charges relating to a benefits investigation at a court appearance.

He appeared at Horseferry Road Magistrates Court on Friday and entered a not guilty plea to charges brought by investigators from the Department of Works ad Pensions. It is alleged he did not declare changes to his 'care and mobility needs' in connection to benefits payments he received.

Councillor Ansari, who is not seeking re-election in Kentish Town at tomorrow's local elections, is listed as an 'independent' councillor at the Town Hall after being suspended from the Liberal Democrat group in Camden pending the result of the case. He has always firmly denied any wrong-doing.

As the New Journal revealed exclusively in February, he was arrested at the Town Hall in February. He later had a heart attack and was unable to return to ceremonial duties. Cllr Ansari is nevertheless still officially the Mayor and has refused to step down from the position. He would normally be expected to read out the election results at the counts this week but the job is likely to be carried out by Moira Gibb.

Cllr Ansari is on unconditional bail and is due to return to court in six weeks time.