Police probe after town hall rumpus

Jun 28 2009 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

THE veteran councillor at the centre of an alleged racism row has fiercely defended his actions.

A war of words erupted in South Tyneside, where councillor Ahmed Khan claims racist abuse was hurled at him by fellow councillor George Elsom as a meeting descended into chaos.

South Tyneside’s council meeting on Thursday was scrapped amid angry scenes, with all political parties heckling one another in a row sparked by another councillor.

In the heat of the argument – a few minutes after the meeting had been adjourned – it has been claimed Real Independent councillor George Elsom said to councillor Ahmed Khan – in front of shocked onlookers – “Why don’t you go off back to where you came from?”

Mr Khan, 47, the borough’s representative for Beacon and Bents, has now made a formal complaint to the police, saying he has been the victim of a hate crime. But Mr Elsom “strongly refutes” the allegation, and counter- accuses Mr Khan of aggressive behaviour.

Mr Elsom, who represents Cleadon Park, said: “I’m furious he has accused me of saying this. What I actually said was ‘why don’t you go back to where you come from . . . the gutter’, because that is where his politics belongs.

“I’m not bothered by this allegation because I am not a racist. It was not intended to be a racist comment and I don’t know how it could be construed that way.

“I am ex-chairman of the race equality committee for South Tyneside and I have never been accused of being a racist.”

However, Mr Khan argued: “I was actually quite traumatised . . . when you use those words on someone with a name like mine, Ahmed Khan, it can only mean one thing, so I am shocked.

“I believe it was a racist remark.”

The slanging match in the Town Hall chamber began when councillor Jane Branley attempted to read out a statement about her husband and fellow Westoe ward councillor Allen Branley, who has been removed from the council for not attending a meeting for six months.

Mrs Branley refused to sit down, prompting Mayor of South Tyneside, John Anglin, to adjourn the meeting for 10 minutes.

When the meeting began once more, Mrs Branley still refused to be seated and Mr Khan stood up and demanded members listen to her statement.

After more loud protests, the mayor decided to postpone the meeting.