Local residents have reacted with anger after it emerged that a Tower Hamlets Labour councillor was served with a court summons for not paying council tax.
The information only came to light after a Freedom of Information request revealed that the council had served a County Court summons on a mystery councillor for non-payment. After considerable pressure from Conservative Town Hall finance spokesman, Cllr David Snowdon, it eventually emerged that Cllr Ahmed Omer, Labour councillor for Bow East and a former Mayor of the borough, had only repaid the money when it was docked from his £10,000 a year councillors’ allowance.
Cllr Snowdon said "Local residents are appalled to find out a sitting Labour councillor had to be served with a summons for not paying their council tax.
"In tough times, residents who work hard, do the right thing and pay their bills on time have a right to expect their councillors will set the same example. All your Conservative councillors are bang up-to-date with their council tax and also do not claim any expenses from the council."