Former Bracknell MP James Sunderland has slammed Bracknell Labour over how it handled allegations against taxi driver Diwan Khan, who was sentenced to 12 years at Winchester Crown Court last week. Khan was licensed by Bracknell Forest and had been serving as the mayor's consort.
Speaking after sentencing, Mr Sunderland said the outcome should offer "some form of justice" and help reassure women and girls locally, adding that "our thoughts and prayers are with the victim".
He questioned the party's actions in 2023 and 2024: "Following Diwan's arrest in July 2023 for an alleged serious offence whilst serving as the Mayoral Consort, why did Bracknell Labour not remove him [Diwan Khan] then?" and "How was he able to maintain access to children, schools and community events until being arrested yet again in January 2024?"
Sunderland also said: "Not a word was shared with me during 2023 and 2024, despite regular engagement with senior Labour figures." He called the case "the biggest political scandal in Bracknell's history" and demanded answers, calling for a public inquiry or independent review.
A Conservative freedom of information request, however, found that all parties were briefed as soon as the Public Protection Partnership was informed of the safeguarding issue in January 2024.
Labour Council Leader Councillor Helen Purnell said: "We were first told about Diwan's arrest on the 12th of January 2024. The then Leader [Cllr Mary Temperton] insisted on briefing opposition leaders. Bracknell Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Greens were told as soon as we found out." She added that Diwan was removed as Mayoral Consort immediately and that his mother stepped back from Mayoral duties.
On accusations that the former mayor knew about Khan's past earlier, Cllr Purnell said: "Naheed lied to all of her Labour Colleagues, just as she was proven a liar in court."
Sunderland criticised a reported fundraiser after the arrests as "insensitive and tone-deaf", welcomed the suspensions of former council leader Cllr Mary Temperton and Cllr Roy Bailey, and urged residents to press councillors for transparency. He said: "Local people have an absolute right to know the truth."
He concluded: "Transparency, decency and honesty in public office do matter."
Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter
