Labour's Wimbledon Candidate Resigns As Local Councillor

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Decision follows probe into law firm run by Imran Uddin

The Labour candidate for Wimbledon in last week's General Election has resigned as a Merton Borough Councillor.

His move comes after the Solicitors Regulation Authority closed down his law firm because there is reason to "suspect dishonesty".

It made the decision in May after investigating Mr Uddin's practice, Crescent Law, of London Road, Morden.

The authority says the basis of its decision to close the practice was because "there is reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of Mr Uddin in connection with this practice as a solicitor".

A by-election for the St Helier ward will now take place on Thursday July 20.

Council leader Stephen Alambritis said: "Residents in St Helier need a Councillor who has the time and energy to devote tofighting the Government's cuts to local services like schools andhospitals.

"With an appeal outstanding and natural justice needing to be done, Imran would struggle to do carry out his representative role to the full, so I am pleased that he has agreed with me to stand down as a Councillor."

Councillor Oonagh Moulton, Leader of Merton Conservative Group, said: "I am shocked and disappointed to learn that a Merton councillor and the former Labour Party parliamentary candidate for Wimbledon is under investigation for dishonest conduct. Clearly he has felt it necessary to resign whilst due process is followed and I would not wish to comment on his personal conduct whilst the investigation is underway."

The nomination process for candidates for the St Helier Ward is open from tomorrow (June 16) and will end at 4pm on June 23. Candidates will be announced by Monday 26 June.

For residents unable to visit a polling station on the day, postal voting application forms are available to download from the council website or by contacting the Electoral Services helpline on 020 8545 3407. The deadline for applications is July 5.

Residents can also apply to appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf. The deadline for this is 5pm on July 12.

To be able to vote, residents must be registered and those who aren’t have until July 4 to do so. Polling cards will be delivered to eligible electors around June 23.

Chief Executive and Returning Officer for Merton Council, Ged Curran said: “Following the resignation of Councillor Imran Uddin, I have been asked by the local government electors to hold a by-election so that the electorate can vote for a new St Helier councillor. As Returning Officer I can announce that a St Helier by-election will take place on Thursday 20 July.”

• In last week's General Election, Imran Uddin was runner-up to Conservative Stephen Hammond, but he did increase Labour's share of the vote. He received 18,324 votes (36%) compared with Mr Hammond's 23,946 (46%).

June 15, 2017