We the undersigned, call for the immediate resignation of Abul Monsur elected to represent Lansbury Ward of Tower Hamlets.

Numerous reports have shown that Councillor Monsur shared a series of antisemitic social media posts, including Holocaust denial content, conspiracy theories about Jewish people, and posts appearing to express approval of Adolf Hitler. Reported posts included an image in which the word “Holocaust” was altered to “Holohoax”, alongside claims regarding Jewish control of media and politics.

While Councillor Monsur has apologised for the posts, we believe that the nature and extent of the material shared is fundamentally incompatible with the responsibilities of elected office in one of the most diverse boroughs in the United Kingdom.

Antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and hate speech have no place in public life. Councillors are entrusted to represent all residents fairly and to uphold values of equality, inclusion, and mutual respect. Public confidence in local democracy is undermined when elected representatives are associated with racist or discriminatory content.

When this story broke in the days before the election, Aspire initially said they had suspended Abul Monsur from their party. However, when asked to clarify Councillor Monsur’s position at the Full Council Meeting on 20th May the Monitoring Officer said that he is still in the group, and his name is attached to Aspire on the Tower Hamlets website. https://democracy.towerhamlets.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=60938 

Residents of Lansbury Ward do not want to be represented by a Holocaust denier. In the 90th anniversary year of the Battle of Cable Street, when we celebrate the defeat of Hitler apologists by our borough’s Jewish community and working-class organisation, it is unacceptable for a person with these views to sit as a councillor in Tower Hamlets. 

Although Aspire claim to have temporarily suspended Councillor Monsur he is still listed as one of their councillors. The party should expel him and Mayor Rahman should apply whatever influence it has on him to persuade him to resign for the good of our borough’s reputation and to undo some of the offence he has caused to Jewish people in the borough and across the country. 

As residents and concerned members of the public, we call on Mayor Lutfur Rahman to immediately and clearly suspend Councillor Abul Monsur from Aspire, and for Councillor Abul Monsur to step down.