Councillor Peter Golds has established that, having hired a luxury Mercedes car at a cost to taxpayers of £72 per day, Tower Hamlets Mayor, Lutfur Rahman, has diverted town hall courier staff from essential council business to drive him to events.
Lutfur Rahman claims he needs this car and driver to attend “back to back meetings” and “study his paperwork” However, one such event on 11 July was nothing to do with the council, merely the launch of a commercial cricket venture at the Clifton Restaurant, E1, which will make a profit for the promoter, who just happens to be the owner of the Clifton Restaurant and a financial backer of the Mayor.
Cllr Golds says:
“Taking council staff from public duties, so they can sit in a limousine outside the restaurant owned by a friend and donor is hardly undertaking “essential work of the borough. Mayor Rahman needs to draw a distinction between public duty and exhibitionism, not least because the venue for this profitable launch event, is within walking distance of the Mayor’s registered home in the borough at Old Montague Street”.