Former Labour finance chief Ammar Naqvi has resigned as a councillor after being fired from his cabinet member position for false employment history claims, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter
A polling station and (inset) Ammar Naqvi)
A by-election will be held next month after Barnet Council’s former finance chief resigned as a councillor amid controversy over false employment claims.
The upcoming poll in Burnt Oak ward was confirmed following Ammar Naqvi’s resignation as a Labour ward councillor.
It came swiftly after Naqvi was fired as cabinet member for finance for falsely claiming to have worked as an associate professor at University College London (UCL) Medical School.
Following the revelations about Naqvi’s invented employment history first reported by Barnet Post on Monday (6th), council leader Barry Rawlings made the decision to remove him from the cabinet and withdraw the Labour whip.
Explaining the decision to sack Naqvi on Tuesday (7th) a Barnet Labour group spokesperson said that “explanations provided by him have not proven satisfactory” and added that “Cllr Rawlings will assume the responsibilities of cabinet member for financial sustainability and reducing poverty on an interim basis”.
Eligible voters living in Burnt Oak ward will be able to vote for their preferred candidate to replace Naqvi when polls open on Thursday, 13th February. Polling stations will be open from 7am-10pm.
The council is encouraging residents to check they are registered to vote before the deadline at midnight on Tuesday, 28th January. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday, 29th January.
The deadline for residents wishing to stand as a candidate has not been confirmed but anyone interested is advised to contact Barnet’s electoral services directly.
Ammar Naqvi was approach for comment.
Photo ID will be required at polling stations on election day. For more informationVisit Burnt Oak by-election.
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