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Councillor Ahmed to stay a councillor
Date published: 10 January 2012
Councillor Farooq Ahmed will remain a councillor as a result he says of "overwhelming support from the local community" in the face of allegations of cannabis smoking.
Councillor Ahmed says he has been humbled by the level of support he has received following the revelation that he was intending to stand down, due to what he describes as a "concerted smear campaign" by members of his own party, "led by MP Simon Danczuk", to discredit him.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/65319/councillor-to-quit-rather-than-be-forced
Speaking exclusively to Rochdale Online this evening, Councillor Ahmed said he has been inundated all day with texts and phone calls of support asking him to reconsider his decision and stay on as a councillor, and this support and his love for the town of Rochdale and the people of Rochdale has changed his mind. He said: "I have been truly surprised by the level of support I have received, I didn't expect it, and Simon Danczuk certainly didn't.
"I have thought carefully and despite the false allegations that have been made and the upset caused by the smear campaign I am not going to bow to those trying to force me out. I have decided to stay."
Councillor Ahmed's new partner, Shafali Begum is backing his decision, she said: "I am so pleased Farooq will stay as a councillor. He is respected by the public and by members of other parties. He is an excellent councillor and he will continue to work hard for the people of Rochdale."
Suspended from the Labour Party and relieved of his post as Cabinet Member for Finance on the Council, Councillor Ahmed says he now intends to fight to clear his name.
Comments
"The pot calling the kettle black" - bad move for Simon Danczuk, Farooq is a good man.
I am really relieved to hear the news that Farooq has listened to the public. We are all with you and hope that you clear your name and swiftly return to your office. All the best wishes.
What great news, it would have been a very sad loss to the people of Rochdale and our ward. It’s a shame that the efforts by some to undermine Farooq's excellent work in our town could not be focused on actually sorting our boroughs problems out. I hope that the show of support for Councillor Ahmed by the people of Rochdale will encourage him to continue, Rochdale needs councillors like Farooq, who really have the best interests of our town at heart without any hidden agenda.
Delighted Councillor Farooq has decided not to let the despicable Simon Danczuk, who is not worthy of holding public office, force him out with the support of the officers of the Regional Labour Party.
Councillor Farooq has neither been arrested or charged with any offence therefore Councillor Farooq's suspension is unconstitutional and against Labour Party protocol and is a clear indication that Simon Danczuk has undue influence on Party officials.
Fantastic news, I am glad to see that others are seeing some wrong doings within Rochdale Constituency Labour Party.
Councillor Farooq Ahmed is one of the best councillors Rochdale has come across. He worked very hard for Central Rochdale in development and other key areas.
Despite what he has done in his private life he never let the community down, he is a well respected individual, he brought communities together and fought for the people of Rochdale. As a councillor he worked hard to achieve results.
I live in Bury and have known Farooq for many years. I am also a trustee of a cancer support centre and can say that Farooq has supported our centre generously and without question.
All I know of Farooq's work for the people of Rochdale, and not just in his constituency, is he has given his time at all hours of the day and night unquestioningly.
I am old enought to tell you that Farooq is one of the good guys. Rochdale's Labour Party don't deserve him.
Great news! The clique have pushed too many dedicated party members out in favour of a rightist agenda once too often. If Councillor Ahmed is forced out, what of the other Labour Party member who was allegedly drunk and abusive to members of the public? Surely this other 'comrades' behaviour was far worse in that it brought local councillors into even more disrepute in the eyes of those present. Or is it one law for one and another for the rest?
So Cllr ahmed is staying as a councillor, is he going to represent the Labour Party? As people like Simon Danczuk MP, his wife, father-in-law, brother and few more other Labour Councillor don't like him and will try the best to discredit him again. Beside that he has upset the Bangladeshi Community with his private affairs. Maybe Cllr Ahmed will join the Tories, perhaps the Lib Dems?
MP Simon Danczuk is going to far without any challenge, he has upset many activists. I recall last year in Kingsway ward where he managed to get his wife elected, and as a result many activists left the party.
So glad you listened to those of us who called to support you. We have disgreed so often on political issues but on a personal level I have always held you in great regards.
God help Rochdale if the old regime manage to worm their way back in.
I'm more interested in what a councillor does in his role, rather than his private life. If Cllr Farooq, as Cabinet Member for Finance, was involved in returning services from Impact Partnership to the Council, then he's more than earnt his position.
Easy to be wise after the local Party was hijacked. Don, it's a pity that members of Rochdale Labour Party lacked the foresight to suss this out before now and have taken until today to wise up to the fact that: "[T]he despicable Simon Danczuk, who is not worthy of holding public office", helped oversee a witch-hunt of dedicated Labour Party socialists and were noticibly absent in expressing their support for the seven of their own supposed 'comrades' who were ousted to make way for Mr Danczuk.
Mr Ahmed deserves this, he left his wife and children for Shafali Begum.
If he can do this to his family then he is not fit to be a councillor for the public in Rochdale!
Danczuk is lower than a snake's belly in a wheel rut.
Have Your Say
Good news - can't say much more than that really.
By Lynne Brosnan @ 10/01/2012 23:33:29