Sandwell Council's deputy leader Syeda Khatun resigns from role
The deputy leader of Sandwell Council has stepped down, it has been confirmed.
A spokesman for Sandwell Council said Syeda Khatun “needed to take time out” from her position as deputy, but would continue to represent the people in her Tipton Green ward.
Councillor Khatun was officially appointed as deputy leader of the council in May this year, but has held the position since 2016 under former leader Steve Eling.
'Unforeseen personal reasons'
A council spokesperson said about the situation: “Circumstances have arisen which mean that Councillor Syeda Khatun needs to take time out from her role as deputy leader due to unforeseen personal reasons.
“The cabinet will manage Councillor Khatun’s portfolio in the meantime. Councillor Khatun will carry on representing the people in her Tipton Green ward.”
Councillor Khatun also said to the Express & Star: “I can confirm that I have stepped aside from my role as deputy leader. In the meantime I will still carry on representing the people in my ward.”
She did not say why she had stepped down. Council leader Yvonne Davies did not respond to the Express & Star’s requests for comment.
'Instrumental'
Councillor Davies faced controversy the other night as she heaped praise on Labour general secretary Jennie Formby, who she said had been “instrumental” in making changes as to how Sandwell Council operates.
However Ms Formby was heavily criticised by former Labour staff in a BBC Panorama documentary for allegedly interfering in party investigations, which are supposed to be independent.
The council’s former leader Steve Eling, who has been suspended by Labour since January, said Mrs Davies’ comments proved that dispute cases were not being dealt with independently. But she hit back, accusing Mr Eling of “twisting” her words.
The news also comes as almost 100 Labour members launched a protest last night over the Warley Labour branch’s annual general meeting (AGM) meeting being cancelled “at the last minute”.
