By: Engineer Bakht Said Yousafzai
A Labour mayor has become the subject of a political storm after it emerged he allegedly abused his public office in an attempt to bring dozens of relatives and associates from Bangladesh into Britain.
Cllr Mohammad Amirul Islam, who served as mayor in his London borough, is facing an investigation into claims he sought immigration favours for at least 41 people with whom he had personal ties.
The revelations, uncovered in a Telegraph investigation, suggest that the councillor used his influence and position to advance applications that would not ordinarily have received such attention.
Having been born in Bangladesh and settling in Britain in 2003, Islam remarked that his family felt immense pride at his elevation to mayor and wished to be present at the ceremony.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the applications covered a wide range of individuals, from close family members to extended acquaintances, raising immediate questions about whether the office of mayor was being leveraged for personal gain.
Critics have argued that such actions, if proven true, represent a serious abuse of trust and risk bringing his council into disrepute at a time when confidence in local authorities is already fragile.
Cllr Islam, who has been pictured alongside Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on several occasions, is said to have maintained a high profile both within his community and the wider party. His close association with the national leadership makes the scandal especially uncomfortable for Labour’s central office.
Opposition councillors have demanded full transparency, warning that the allegations not only undermine local democracy but also risk damaging Labour’s broader reputation for integrity.
One senior Conservative source described the case as “deeply troubling” and urged the Home Office to examine whether any inappropriate pressure was placed on immigration authorities.
The scale of the alleged requests has shocked many observers. To seek entry for more than 40 people suggests a pattern of behaviour rather than a one-off lapse in judgment, critics say.
Community leaders within the borough have expressed disappointment, noting that the role of mayor is traditionally regarded as symbolic, focused on public service and representing the local population, not personal advancement.
Labour insiders have been quick to stress that no evidence has been presented that Sir Keir or national party figures had any knowledge of Cllr Islam’s activities. Nonetheless, the optics of their association have drawn attention.
A spokesperson for Labour’s national headquarters said the matter would be taken “extremely seriously” and that the party would await the outcome of the investigation before commenting further on disciplinary measures.
Local residents have reacted with a mix of anger and embarrassment. Some have called for Cllr Islam to step aside pending inquiries, while others insist he must provide a public explanation for his actions.
The council itself has confirmed that a formal probe is under way, focusing on whether the mayor breached standards of conduct and whether any official resources were misused.
Legal experts have warned that if it is shown he attempted to influence visa applications improperly, he could face not only political sanctions but also potential legal consequences.
The controversy comes at a time when immigration remains one of the most hotly contested issues in British politics, with Labour keen to present itself as both firm and fair in managing the system.
Any suggestion that a party representative exploited the process for personal benefit could undermine months of careful messaging and offer ammunition to political rivals.
As the investigation continues, pressure is mounting on Labour locally and nationally to demonstrate accountability and to show that misconduct, if proven, will not be tolerated.
For now, Cllr Islam has declined to make a detailed public statement, but his silence has only fuelled speculation. The question that remains is whether his actions were merely errors of judgment or a calculated attempt to bend the rules of public office.
What is clear is that the scandal has cast a long shadow over his tenure, raising questions not just about one mayor but about the broader culture of accountability in local government.
