Former Bracknell MP Colonel James Sunderland has defended remarks he made on national TV about senior Bracknell councillors, even after admitting he misstated part of the timeline.
On Talk he criticised a small fundraiser held in November 2024 by Cllr Mary Temperton and Cllr Roy Bailey for former councillor Naheed Ejaz. The interview suggested the event was linked to Ejazs son, taxi driver Diwan Khan, who is now a convicted rapist.
Whilst Khan was charged with rape on September 14, 2024, Winchester Crown Court confirmed that Ejaz herself was not arrested and charged until February 27, 2025.
Col Sunderland said he had misstated timing but maintained senior Labour figures knew of concerns about Khan before the fundraiser, including previous arrests and convictions, making the decision to raise funds inappropriate.
He noted Cllr Temperton was leader of Bracknell Forest Council at the time, Cllr Bailey is a former police officer, both are in their late 70s, and Baileys wife is in the final stages of dementia. Both councillors have since been suspended by the Labour Party.
He said: “My criticism of the decision to hold a fundraiser in 2024 is entirely valid.”
“Mary and Roy are not the victims here.
“Diwan was arrested on September 12, 24, Bracknell News reported it on September 20, 24 and Ejaz then lost her licence in Oct 24.
“Labour’s Council Leader and the Executive knew about Diwan’s previous arrests whilst serving as the Mayoral Consort in Jul 23 and Jan 24, not to mention his previous convictions.
“They also knew why Ejaz had resigned as a councillor following the initiation of a code of conduct complaint, so my criticism about their appalling decision to hold a fund-raiser in 2024 (not 2025) is entirely valid.
“The fact that Cllr Temperton and Cllr Bailey have since been suspended by the Labour Party also proves the point.
“The ongoing failure of the Labour Executive to take any responsibility or show any contrition for their failures should also worry every resident in Bracknell.”
He said he stood by the substance of his interview and called for greater accountability from the councils leadership. He said: “I just want public officials to be decent, honest and accountable.”
Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter
