Walsall councillors ‘racially abused’ and accused of 'corruption' at stormy planning meeting

Tempers flared as the committee narrowly voted to defer an application for the demolition of two homes on Little Aston Road and build six new properties on the land in their place.

People in the public gallery were heard shouting ‘backhanders’ at councillors who voted in favour of delaying the decision while Muslim councillor Saiqa Nasreen claimed she was told to ‘take her scarf off’.

After the meeting, one of the residents strongly refuted the allegations of racist abuse, adding one of the most vociferous objectors on the night is Asian.

Authority planning officers had recommended refusal for a number of reasons while the application attracted a huge amount of opposition from people living in the area.

But at the start of the debate, committee member Aftab Nawaz moved a motion to defer it to allow the developer to come up with a more acceptable scheme.

Acting chair Councillor Mark Statham moved to vote on the motion before using his casting vote to pass it.

But this divided the chamber and the angry scenes soon followed which prompted calls for security before the meeting was adjourned for five minutes.

Councillor Nasreen said: “Members of the gallery have shouted across to us as I turned back, they said to me ‘take your scarf off’ and ‘we’re going to come to get you’. This is not the abuse we sit here to take.”

Councillor Nawaz added: “There is no reason at all to be racist or Islamaphobic or swear at the people sitting here. They made allegations against a lot of councillors here.

“They told one of our councillors they were going to rip her scarf off. They said they were going to come and get us. These are unacceptable comments.

“This is horrific behaviour from people who should be ashamed of themselves. No one should have to accept this kind of behaviour.

“If someone is wearing a headscarf or turban or religious headwear, it’s got nothing to do with what decision they’ve made. Who the hell do they think they are?”

Fellow committee member John Murray said: “In view of the behaviour of the gallery, I would ask you to consider that if the agent can agree to come back with a modified proposal at some point in the future, that it be taken in private session so we don’t have a repeat of what we’ve just had.”

Councillor Vera Waters said: “I take big offence at it being stated that I take backhanders.

“There is no way on this earth I would take any money for anything other than my councillor allowances.”

Councillor Suky Samra, who spoke out strongly against the deferral, said: “I totally condemn anyone who discriminates or uses words that they have to Councilor Nasreen. There is no place for that in society.

“However, we’ve got to be very careful if we bar members of the public from these meetings. To say we are going to take matters in private would undermine democracy if we start as a committee.

“Yes, there are individuals who did not do themselves any favours but that’s why we have curators. There is CCTV in here and I’m sure they will be identified. If they do come again, they will not be allowed in.”

Acting chair Mark Statham said: “That sort of behaviour is unacceptable. It has come from all sides, whichever way they voted on the application.

“It’s unanimous condemnation of people using that sort of language, intimidation, bullying and harassment. We will look at the steps available to us as a committee to take the necessary action.”