Campaigners backing a legal challenge against Lutfur Rahman’s election as Tower Hamlets Mayor have become victims of intimidation on an “industrial” scale, it was claimed last night.
A group of petitioners allege potential whistleblowers from the borough’s Bengali community have received threats to their businesses and families both in London and Bangladesh.
Mr Rahman, who is Britain’s first directly-elected Muslim Mayor, faces a High Court hearing into allegations of intimidation and vote fraud during May’s ballot, when he won a second term.
Andy Erlam, one of the petitioners backing the challenge, told a press conference last night: “We have not only had problems with voters being intimidated, we now have a problem of witnesses to the court being intimidated.
He added: “There are serious criminal acts taking place, I believe on an industrial scale.”
Campaigner Dame Janet Digby Baker, who was awarded an OBE in 2012 for setting up a children’s foster agency, said the witnesses had told her they believed their families in Bangladesh could be in danger if they challenged the election results.
She said: “They were threatened that a member of their family in Bangladesh would be hurt. When it was said to them ‘what do you mean by hurt?’ [The witness is then said to have replied] ‘well, probably my grandmother would be killed.’
“The whole thing is being played out in Bangladesh as well as here,” Dame Janet added.
The group behind the challenge includes a Brick Lane restaurateur who is a practising Muslim.
Azmal Hussain alleges he has had windows smashed and claims his car has been vandalised since the challenge was launched.
“I am very afraid, I need help, I always be careful,” he told the press conference held at his Brick Lane curry house, Prithi and Preem.
The group claimed that other anonymous witnesses have withdrawn after allegedly being approached in the street by strangers who are said to have threatened them for criticising Mr Rahman.
In a statement, they said they were not making allegations about whether “known persons” were promoting the intimidation.
They added: “The petitioners absolutely do not allege or imply that the reported intimidation is orchestrated by any known individuals.”
The Mayor denies all wrongdoing and there is no suggestion he is behind the alleged threats.
He said: “Like much of the petition itself, these allegations are devoid of any specifics so I don’t know how I can respond to them save to say I’m a lawyer by trade and would condemn anybody harassing witnesses and call on anyone who has information material to this case to come forward.
“If there’s any truth to these claims they should report them to the police.”
Scotland Yard confirmed it had received allegations of witness intimidation “from third parties”.
The legal challenge includes claims that Mr Rahman’s Labour rival John Biggs was smeared with allegations of racism during the campaign.
It is also alleged in documents filed to the High Court that Mr Rahman’s supporters exerted unlawful “spiritual” influence on voters, who were told to vote for the Tower Hamlets First candidate or face punishment in the next world.
The challenge is expected to be heard in the New Year.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “We have received no specific evidence of any offences at this time and no allegations have been reported by alleged victims.
“The MPS takes allegations of witness intimidation extremely seriously and will fully investigate any put to us. We would encourage anyone with concerns in this area to report the matter to their local police.”