Tower Hamlets Mayor told to say sorry to sex crime victim after his testimonial to her attacker

The Mayor of Tower Hamlets has been asked to say sorry to a young woman who was attacked by a sex pervert who picked her up in his illegal minicab.

Lutfur Rahman (a dubious character who changes from Labour to the Respect party as and when it suits his purpose and who, like George Galloway before him owes much to the support of the Islamic Forum of Europe) had given a ‘good character’ reference to the man which was used to try and convince a judge not to jail him. Mr Rahman claimed the testimonial “was a genuine mistake” when he faced angry councillors at last night’s council meeting.

Zamal Uddin, 44, who sexually assaulted the 26-year-old woman in October, was jailed for 18 months and put on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years after admitting two charges of sexual assault and driving while disqualified.

Councillors challenged the Mayor over whether he knew Uddin faced serious criminal charges when he gave the testimonial.

“For you to say you ‘made a mistake’ is outrageous,” said Tory Opposition leader Peter Golds. “You’re a solicitor and member of the Law Society—yet you gave a reference on Tower Hamlets notepaper for this corrupt, perverted criminal. You know better than anyone how the Law stands—you should apologise to the people of Tower Hamlets for your testimonial to a pervert who’s been recommended for deportation.”

Labour’s Rachael Saunders said: “I hope the mayor apologises to the woman to save the reputation of the council.” Her colleague Bill Turner said: “Lutfur has acknowledged his mistake—but needs to explain what happened.”