The Labour Party is allowing itself to fall into utter disrepute in regards to the selection process for the Tower Hamlets elected Mayoral race.

We initially covered the story that it had been suggested that number of key people including the former leader of the council Mr L Rahman, had been kept off the list of candidates in order to give an easier ride to GLA member John Biggs. The fact that GLA Labour group leader Len Duval was on the decision making panel further muddied the water.

But after much pressure the Labour Party reopened the process to ensure fairness. Labour democrats particularly from the BME communities rejoiced. Labour’s Black sections – Labour BAME – proclaimed the party was listening to its BME members.

Not for long it seems. The events that followed next not only seem undemocratic and against the spirit and wishes of Labour BME members, but at another level are deeply troubling and farcical.

This letter was sent to Mr Rahman on the 23rd of July confirming a reversal to the decision to keep him off the shortlist:

------

Dear Mr Rahman

Tower Hamlets Mayoral selection

You appealed against your exclusion from the shortlist as Labour candidate for Mayor of Tower Hamlets.

The appeal has been heard on Friday at Labour Party headquarters

Decision

Your appeal is allowed and your name will be added to the short list.

This decision is final.

Yours sincerely

Roy Kennedy

Director of Finance and compliance

------

Mr Rahman was obviously delighted by this ‘final decision’ making the shortlist list, only to receive second letter three days letter revoking the first ‘final decision’:

------

26 July 2010

Dear Mr Rahman

Tower Hamlets Mayoral Selection

I regret that the decision letter sent to you by Roy Kennedy on my behalf last Friday was sent in error; I had not then concluded my deliberations on your appeal.

Having now done so, I am satisfied that there was a procedure laid down both for nominees and for the interviewing panel which had been approved by the General Secretary. I therefore do not accept your submission that I should deal with procedural matters in the context of Chapters 5 and 20 of the Party Rules as stated in ground 1 of your appeal.

Ground 2 of your appeal amounted to no more than criticism of the political judgment of the interview panel, not something within my remit.

In the light of this, as I heard no evidence to suggest that the procedure in fact laid down was not followed or that there were manifest errors relating to it my decision is as follows.

Decision

Your appeal is NOT ALLOWED.

This decision is final.

Yours sincerely

Jim Kennedy

------

According to OBV sources, Mr Kennedy, that’s the first one Roy Kennedy, refused to sign the second letter.

So where do Rahman and the other ‘excluded’ candidates stand, well unless the Labour leadership steps in quick, probably in the courts.

One member of Labour BAME who wished to remain anonymous for fear that it would be held against them lamented;

“What must Black people do to be treated fairly by this party?”

Good question!