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A local government with a sizable South Asian community has determined that Independent Councillor Noor Jahan Begum violated the Councillor Code of Conduct by making several unfounded and serious accusations against Labour Councillor Tanweer Khan, using the Palestine issue for local political advantage.
The Redbridge Council Standards Committee’s decision comes after a thorough independent investigation and a public hearing. The committee found that Councillor Begum misled the investigation, lied during the process, and colluded with her niece, who had filed a separate complaint against Councillor Khan. Both women failed to disclose their family relationship despite living at the same address.
Councillor Khan claimed that on April 10, 2025, Councillor Begum distributed misleading leaflets against him in a local ward; that she behaved in a stalking manner outside the Ilford Islamic Centre on April 18, 2025; and that she acted in misconduct while responding to the complaint, supporting her relative’s complaint on the same issue. The leaflets falsely suggested that Khan, as Chair of the Council’s Pension Fund Committee, was not supporting the “divestment” campaign related to the Local Government Pension Scheme. They also implied that he was pro-Israel, pro-Zionism, and anti-Palestine.
Begum denied all allegations. However, the council found that she was in her ward distributing leaflets and speaking with residents on April 10, and that she made claims—including asserting that Khan had behaved misogynistically—that lacked supporting evidence. Regarding her alleged harassment outside the Ilford Islamic Centre, the subcommittee made no definitive findings due to insufficient evidence.
The investigation concluded that Begum made statements and allegations inconsistent with solid evidence. It agreed with the investigator that she deliberately downplayed her involvement with the Redbridge Palestine Solidarity Campaign, falsely claimed she was not leafleting, minimized her relationship with a member of the public by claiming they only knew each other from demonstrations despite being related, and falsely stated that Khan approached her by car when CCTV footage showed he was walking. She also denied delivering leaflets despite photographic proof and changed her statements during the investigation.
The subcommittee determined that all these actions were carried out in her official capacity. She used her title as a councillor while submitting complaints, her conduct related directly to her role when accusing another councillor, and she participated in a formal process concerning potential breaches of the Code of Conduct.
While the council noted that the language used in the leaflets about Khan was very harsh, it still fell within free speech rights. However, her dishonesty and failure to act with integrity in making and supporting her complaint violated the standards concerning respect—since her false claims could cause personal and professional harm—and brought her office and the borough into disrepute. Her dishonesty damaged public trust, especially since she concealed her family relationship with a related witness.
Without an appeal option, the committee recommended that Begum be removed from all committees for six months, complete training arranged by the Monitoring Officer within six weeks, and that the Monitoring Officer consider any additional necessary actions.
The investigation also highlighted concerns about the exploitation of sensitive international issues to inflame local politics. Throughout this dispute, Begum portrayed Khan as aligned with pro-Israel viewpoints, despite his well-documented, long-standing support for Palestinian rights.
Following the ruling, Khan stated: “This decision underscores how claims like these can be weaponized to cause serious damage to reputations and personal lives. My support for Palestinian rights is longstanding and well-documented. What my family and I have endured over these months has been extremely upsetting, but I am relieved that the truth is now clear. I’ve supported Palestine throughout my life, and I will continue to support their right to self-determination. I’ve been unfairly targeted and defamed.”
He also pointed out that Begum had publicly called for Redbridge Council to divest from companies like Amazon, yet records show her own campaign was financially backed by Capumen, a recruitment firm that lists Amazon as a major client. This raises questions about political hypocrisy.
Begum responded with a statement saying: “The Council did not follow proper procedures. They failed to investigate my complaint against Mr. Khan properly and have publicly censured me for retaliating. I strongly disagree and plan to file a complaint with the Local Government Ombudsman.”
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