Lutfur Rahman was elected mayor of Tower Hamlets in London, seven years after he was removed from office for numerous violations of the election law.
He defeated incumbent Labor MP John Biggs in the second round by 40,804 votes to 33,487.
Mr Rahman was banned from politics for five years after an election commissioner ruled he had “ridden a coach and horses through election law” and conducted a “ruthless and dishonest campaign” in 2014, which included corrupt and illegal practices ”.
The commissioner said Mr Rahman had built a political career on “ignoring or neglecting” the law and silencing his critics with accusations of racism or Islamophobia.
However, a lengthy police investigation ruled that there was insufficient evidence of prosecution.
He was later removed as a lawyer and served with a £ 86,400 order for costs. A separate judge also ruled that he had deceived mortgage creditors and failed to declare rental income to the tax authorities after declaring himself bankrupt against legal accounts.
Andrew Wood, an independent adviser to Canary Wharf, said Mr Rahman’s remarkable return was partly due to Mr Biggs, who he said had isolated white working-class voters by introducing low-traffic neighborhoods (LTNs), which restrict car access to roads in residential areas.
Lutfur Rahman defeated Tower Hamlets starter John Biggs
(PA)
Mr Rahman promised to cancel the LTN. “Our roads are closed, blocked. This contributes to more CO2 in the area, when the idea was to reduce it, “he said.
Mr Rahman also secured the support of former London Mayor Ken Livingston, who said he would “trust Lutfour with my life”.
Lord Hayward, a Tory colleague and election expert, said the prospect of Rahman’s return to politics was “depressing”.
“He was banned for five years, which was the maximum penalty, but unfortunately I think it is inadequate,” he said.
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