BLACK LED CHURCHES DEMAND MOSQUITO EXPLANATION

30-05-2008

Birmingham’s Council of Black Led Churches is demanding to know why Yvonne Mosquito has been dropped from West Midlands Police Authority. They fear it could harm her chances of becoming Labour's parliamentary candidate for Ladywood.

The Stirrer broke the news earlier this month that Mosquito had lost her position after being beaten in a poll of fellow Labour councillors by Mohammed Afzal (see link here).

We observed at the time that Labour malcontents claimed to detect the hand of their leader Sir Albert Bore somewhere in the process.

There’s also been grumbling that the only teller at the decisive vote was Mahmood Ahmad, chair of the Birmingham Labour group.

He’s the father of Mosquito’s rival for nomination in the Ladywood parliamentary constituency Shabana Mahmood (see link here).

No one is suggesting that Mahmood Ahmad was responsible for any wrong-doing but critics argue that, in the circumstances, the party should have handled the election more sensitively.

Mosquito’s departure hasn’t only damaged her parliamentary ambitions – it’s also robbed the Police Authority of its only African Caribbean woman.

Now the Board of the Council of Black Led Churches has written to Albert Bore, demanding to know why she was removed, and expressing its “deep concern”.

They acknowledge that it’s up to Labour who it nominates, but argue that the party's action has wider significance for the African Caribbean community.

Dr Joe Aldred, the Board’s chair, said: “We await an explanation of the reasoning behind Cllr Mosquito’s removal from Police Authority, particularly at this time when Cllr Mosquito is in the running to be selected as parliamentary candidate for the Ladywood constituency.

"This action could damage her chances of selection."

Sir Albert Bore has told The Stirrer, “the decision was taken in a free and fair election by Labour councillors.”

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