Outrage at Hussain 'promotion'
Reporter: Kirsty Allen
Date online: 15 June 2012
The news that Labour councillor Aftab Hussain has been 'promoted' to Chairman of the Pennines Township Committee has been unpopular amongst the people of Rochdale.
Hussain gave a positive character reference for Abdul Qayyum, who was later convicted of conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.
Both Hussain and former mayor Zulfiquar Ali, who stepped down, appeared as character witnesses for Qayyum.
Ali has since called his decision as a “silly mistake”. Hussain, however, remains in his role as a Labour councillor in the Firgrove and Smallbridge ward, and is now chairman of a Township committee.
When asked their thoughts on Hussain’s position, the people of Rochdale were unanimous. A Harris, who works in the town centre, said: “It’s just Rochdale all over, it’s an absolute joke. He should have been sacked, never mind standing down. It infuriates me.”
Richard Brockley said: “I don’t think he should have kept his job, and I don’t think he should be earning any more either. I think it’d be the same though in any other town.”
A resident who did not want to be named said: “He should have been out of the job the moment he wrote the letter. This town only protects certain people, and we can’t do anything about it. Have the police just turned a blind eye?”
One of the integral roles of a councillor is that of a corporate parent, a role that gives responsibility to all councillors for the welfare of the town’s children.
Jean Ashworth is an ex-councillor. She said: “Corporate parenting is one of the most important roles a councillor undertakes. It involves protecting, supporting and being there for all vulnerable children.
“Councillor Hussain should have known better than to support a suspect. Is an apology enough? At the end of the day the man was convicted – Hussain has gone against this poor girl.”
Comments
Oh dear.
Some people are not using the brains they were born with.
Another blindingly poor decision by Rochdale Labour Council. There should be a public enquiry into all aspects of this matter with sackings in the Council the Social Services Child protection team and the police initially involved made as the bare minimum response to this sad catalogue of errors rather than the usual "whitewash" of inconvienient truths we have all become accustomed to for too long. You can hear George Galloway MP thumbing through his A-Z of electoral wards.
Disgusting, absolutely disgusting, but I'm sure it will be brushed under the carpet, just like the young girls complaints many years before it got to court.
You get what you vote for.
Why has he not resigned? Disgusting.
Imagine if a would-be councillor had given a charater reference for someone accused of racist behaviour who was then found guilty.
He would have been a political pariah. Not so when it comes to character references for perverts.
This is a disgrace and I must say once again Rochdale Council takes the pee! Make no mistake about it, this has upset certain groups!
It's no wonder I regard this town as 'dead', who would ever want to visit a town with the reputation that this one has. The councils, and I do mean all of them over the years, are a complete joke. Always 'jobs for the boys' it seems.
Have Your Say
What the hell is going on in Rochdale? We have a Labour councillor standing up in court and saying what a great and honest man Abdul Qayyum is and now they promote him.
The good people of Rochdale will not stand for this and in my opinion they are asking for trouble.
By locker66 @ 16/06/2012 08:22:57