UK councillors criticised for campaigning in Bangladesh while holding London seats
UK residents and officials have criticised the councillors for pursuing political ambitions abroad while continuing to hold taxpayer-funded positions in London. “Most of the time she is in Bangladesh. She should resign,” one resident said of Ms. Khan. Another added: “We elected her to represent us, not Bangladesh.”
The decision by several local councillors from east London to campaign for political office in Bangladesh has drawn sharp criticism in the United Kingdom, raising concerns about divided loyalties, ethical responsibility, and the limits of existing UK law.
Tower Hamlets councillors Sabina Khan of the Aspire Party and Ohid Ahmed, an independent, are seeking nomination to contest Bangladesh's February 2026 national election for the Bangladesh National Party (BNP). The BNP has been described in UK reports as a party "long dogged by corruption, violence and extremism claims."
UK residents and officials have criticised the councillors for pursuing political ambitions abroad while continuing to hold taxpayer-funded positions in London. "Most of the time she is in Bangladesh. She should resign," one resident said of Khan. Another added: "We elected her to represent us, not Bangladesh."
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Council records show Khan has attended fewer than half of her official meetings since February, despite earning more than £20,000 annually from her council roles. The UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government called the behaviour "unacceptable," saying councillors must serve their local constituents and uphold the Nolan principles of integrity, objectivity, and accountability, says Express UK.
Political figures in Britain also condemned the move. Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice urged immediate resignations, while Conservative politician Susan Hall questioned: "How can they represent London when trying to run for office in another country?" Tory Chairman Kevin Hollinrake said it was "beyond parody" that councillors "elected and paid by the hard-working British taxpayer" were campaigning overseas.
A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said UK law does not automatically disqualify councillors who seek or hold elected office in another country, though Bangladesh may have its own restrictions on dual mandates. An Aspire Party spokesperson said Khan would step down from her UK position if elected in Bangladesh.
The issue comes amid ongoing scrutiny of governance in Tower Hamlets. Earlier this year, British ministers deployed envoys to monitor what officials described as "failing governance." A 2024 inspection report found decision-making in the council was "dominated by an inner circle" around the borough's executive mayor, Lutfur Rahman, leader of the Aspire Party.
