FURY AS LAMBETH LABOUR SEEKS TO APPOINT COUNCILLOR CHARGED WITH SERIOUS OFFENCES TO COMMITTEE – LIB DEMS DEMAND RESIGNATION
FURY AS LABOUR APPOINTS COUNCILLOR CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT TO COMMITTEE – LIB DEMS DEMAND RESIGNATION
Cllr Mohammed was charged by police with three offences following an incident on 12 July 2025. He was reportedly charged with sexual assault, exposure, and coercive and controlling behaviour.
Having left Labour to sit as an independent, Cllr Mohammed has now been offered a seat on Lambeth Council’s Investigating Committee.
Cllr Harris of the Liberal Democrats said:
“Cllr Mohammed should do the decent thing and resign. He cannot represent his constituents in the current circumstances.”
At the time of Cllr Mohammed’s arrest, a Lambeth Council spokesperson was quoted in My London, 18 July, as saying that Cllr Mohammed had been removed from “all council committees, pending resolution of the allegations against him.”
Those allegations have not been resolved – a trial is still pending.
Now it emerges that a paper has been tabled for the meeting of Lambeth’s Full Council on Wednesday 15 October, which shows that Cllr Mohammed is to be given a seat on Lambeth Council’s Investigating Committee.
Cllr Harris went on:
“Lambeth is now going through the ludicrous charade of appointing him to a committee. Given the seriousness of the allegations, it is entirely inappropriate for Cllr Mohammed to be offered a committee seat while these matters are before the courts. This sends the wrong message to residents, staff, and fellow Councillors, and undermines trust in the Council’s commitment to safety and integrity.”
“What’s even more ludicrous is that he’s being appointed to the Investigating Committee— a proposal that defies belief when he himself faces criminal charges. How can residents have confidence in our processes if someone under investigation is being asked to scrutinise others?”
“People in positions of authority cannot be seen to face no consequences when such serious allegations are made. A welter of notorious cases from BBC presenters to Church of England priests has shifted public opinion decisively. The most recent example - the Panorama investigation into sexism and racism at Charing Cross police station - shows exactly why institutions must act decisively. Failing to do so damages trust, perpetuates complacency and allows abuse to occur.”
“It is my firm view that Cllr Mohammed should not be permitted to enter the Town Hall until the court process has concluded. This is about safeguarding — ensuring that staff, Councillors, and residents can have confidence that their workplace is safe and that Labour Lambeth Council takes allegations of this nature seriously.”
Cllr Harris has written to the Chief Executive to call for an immediate review with the aim of implementing a “clear safeguarding protocol for elected members” in the event that a Councillor is charged with violent or sexual offences. She has called for temporary restrictions on those under investigation in respect of participation in committees or activities involving staff, residents or sensitive information.
“We must act with urgency to ensure situations like this cannot arise again in any council — our constitutions and safeguarding processes must evolve to protect everyone who works in and with the council."
ENDS
Notes to Readers:
Cllr Harris's letter to the Chief Executive is below:
"I am writing to raise serious safeguarding concerns following recent reports that Cllr Irfan Mohammed, currently facing sexual offence charges, may be offered a seat on a council committee after resigning from the Labour Party to sit as an Independent.
"Given the gravity of the allegations, it would be wholly inappropriate for Cllr Mohammed to be appointed to any council committee or to participate in council business while legal proceedings are ongoing. Doing so risks sending the wrong message to residents, staff, and councillors, and could undermine public confidence in our commitment to safety, integrity, and due process.
"This situation highlights a broader safeguarding issue within our governance framework. We urgently need to:
• Review our policies to ensure that any councillor under criminal investigation, particularly in relation to sexual or violent offences, is temporarily restricted from participating in council committees or activities that involve staff, residents, or sensitive information.
• Clarify our legal discretion regarding committee appointments and attendance for members facing such charges.
• Strengthen our safeguarding procedures and communications so that residents and staff have confidence that the council takes these matters seriously and acts decisively to protect all involved.
"While the presumption of innocence must always be upheld, safeguarding principles require us to prioritise safety and trust. Allowing someone facing these types of allegations to participate in council functions, especially oversight or investigatory roles, would be a serious reputational and ethical risk.
"I would strongly recommend that we take immediate steps to review our approach and implement a clear safeguarding protocol for elected members. I would be happy to discuss further to help move this forward swiftly."
The paper on allocation of seats to committees is available on the Council’s website:
Agenda for Council on Wednesday 15 October 2025, 7.00 pm | Lambeth Council
Review of allocation of seats.pdf
Coverage of Cllr Irfan Mohammed’s arrest includes the following:
Labour suspends Lambeth councillor after he is charged with sexual assault | The Standard
Lambeth Labour councillor charged and suspended as party moves to limit fallout