Rabina Asghar cleared of wrongdoing by Lib Dems after MP endorsement

Rabina Asghar

Rabina Asghar, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Spotland and Falinge in this week’s local election, has been cleared of any wrongdoing from the party after receiving an endorsement from Rochdale MP George Galloway.

Ms Asghar had been suspended after appearing in the endorsement video where the Workers Party MP encouraged voters to back her ‘to get Labour out of the town hall’.

One of two Liberal Democrat candidates endorsed by Mr Galloway, Rabina said she realised she had been “politically naïve” after appearing in the video. She added that she hadn’t wanted to “disrespect the local MP by refusing.”
 

Read more: Suspended council candidate was ‘politically naive’ for appearing in George Galloway video, leader saysPublished: 23 April 2024

After a panel reviewed her complaint, Rabina was dismissed with a warning and the suspension lifted 10 days later on 30 April.

Ms Asghar said: "I am pleased that the Liberal Democrats have cleared me of any wrongdoing. I have had literally hundreds of messages from residents offering support in this case and thank the party for dealing with this issue swiftly.

“Resident after resident across the area are supporting the positive Liberal Democrat campaign for change.”

Ms Asghar, a translator for the NHS, has unsuccessfully contested the Spotland and Falinge ward for the Liberal Democrats in each of the last three local elections, each time coming within a few hundred votes of the Labour candidate.