Eighth Lib Dem resigns from party

Councillor Mohammad Sharif

An eighth Councillor has resigned from the Liberal Democrat party in Rochdale.

Councillor Mohammad Sharif of the Milkstone and Deeplish Ward will now sit as an Independent.

Councillor Sharif said he has resigned because five issues he has raised with the Liberal Democrats and Councillor Dale Mulgrew have not been addressed, the issues include allegations of racism. A copy of Councillor Sharif's resignation letter is below.

The news comes after seven Liberal Democrats jumped ship in a series of resignations leading to the resignation of Council Leader, Councillor Irene Davidson.

Councillor Sharif said he will not be joining the Independent Alliance party, and will reconsider his position in a few days.

He concluded: “I will continue to be a Milkstone and Deeplish ward Councillor but as an Independent not as part of a group.”

Reacting to the eighth resignation, Councillor Mulgrew, said: “This once more all stems from the rebellion which took place a few weeks ago when the Leader was in hospital. There were nine names on the letter and this is the eighth to leave our camp.

“Once more this action is clearly based on self interest and questionable motives.

“It is interesting to note though that since the initial rebellion occurred the group have had several emergency meetings to discuss the way forward and develop a strategy and Councillor Sharif has not attended any of the group meetings. This shows his intention was always to leave so whatever we did probably wasn’t going to be good enough.”

The Leader of the Labour party in Rochdale, Councillor Colin Lambert said: “Hearing the rumours that there should be nine, but there could be more – we need to know for the stability of the borough who is going and when.

“Councillor Mulgrew seems to be a one man destruction crew for the Liberal Democrats at the moment.”

The Leader of the Conservative party in Rochdale, Councillor Ashley Dearnley has described the eighth resignation as "worrying" he also said that the resignations are not because of the coalition nationally.

He said: "I think its is very worrying that there are more Liberal Democrats resignations. What worries me particularly and what the Liberals need to look at are the reasons – there must be some serious problems for this to constantly be happening in this group.

“With Councillor Sharif and other long standing Councillors which are respected we will work with them, we will work with everyone.

“I think now the Lib Dems need to look very very seriously at what is causing this to constantly happen.

“It isn’t good for the town. What was once a major party is now reducing to a rump and it is very sad for the town.” 

The Leader of the Independent Alliance party, Councillor Greg Couzens, said: “I have worked alongside Councillor Sharif for the last three years and I have always found him hard working and conscientious.”

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/50511/councillor-accuses-party-of-racism-in-resignation-letter