Labour councillor suspended just three weeks after election

A Haringey Labour councillor has been suspended by his party three weeks after being elected.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands Ibrahim Ali’s suspension is linked to his previous work with campaign group Cage, which describes itself as an “advocacy organisation working to empower communities impacted by the war on terror”.

Cllr Ali, also known as Ibrahim Mohamoud, was formerly a spokesperson for Cage. In 2015, he appeared to defend Cage director Asim Qureshi’s description of Islamic State militant Mohammed Emwazi – otherwise known as ‘Jihadi John’ – as a “beautiful young man”.

Emwazi is believed to have beheaded a number of hostages between 2014 and 2015 while he was a member of an Islamic State terrorist cell.

Cllr Ali told a parliamentary committee that Qureshi’s comments were “made in reference to the person that our research director met at the time in 2012” and were “in no way in reference to the person that he became or what he did”. Ali also told MPs Emwazi’s teacher had called him a “hard working, lovely boy”.

The suspended Labour member has also previously criticised the government’s Prevent strategy, which is designed to stop people from being drawn into terrorism. He is quoted in a report by policy and security think-tank The Henry Jackson Society as describing Prevent as “a racist agenda” and “an Islamophobic agenda”.

Cllr Ali was elected to represent the Bruce Castle ward in Tottenham at the local election on 5th May. He has also served as secretary of Tottenham Constituency Labour Party and was Tottenham MP David Lammy’s agent during the 2019 general election.

Opposition Liberal Democrats are now demanding answers over Cllr Ali’s selection as a candidate by Haringey Labour.

Lib Dem leader Luke Cawley-Harrison said: “Following seven suspensions over the last four years, it is incredible that within weeks of the election we have a further Haringey councillor being suspended from the Labour Party. Questions must be asked of the vetting process for Haringey Labour candidates, and why the reason for the suspension was not an issue before the elections.

“We need a clear and decisive statement from the leader of the council on what action is being taken to ensure that Haringey Labour councillors are fit to serve the residents they represent. We cannot afford a further four years of Labour politicians fighting suspensions and one another instead of fighting for a better borough.”

A London Labour spokesperson said the party does not comment on individual cases.

Cllr Ali and Haringey Labour were approached for comment.