Mayor taken to court by own borough council over daughter's truancy
By LUCY BALLINGER
Last updated at 23:00 14 April 2008
Liaquat Ali: Fined £450 by Magistrate
A mayor who took his daughter out of school to go on the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia has been taken to court by his own council.
Liaquat Ali and his wife Zailnab took their youngest child on a family pilgrimage to Mecca - making her skip school for 12 days.
The whole family including the couple's four other children who have left school - travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj - the largest annual pilgrimage in the world.
The Mayor for Waltham Forest thought he and his wife Zailnab had escaped punishment for the absence of their 14-year-old daughter last December.
But their case went to Waltham Forest magistrates court last week, and they were fined £450 in total for unauthorised absence of their child from school during term time.
Ali, who was a magistrate at the court before he became mayor last year, did not attend the court case.
He claims he had no idea he had been taken to court by his own council until after the fine was imposed.
The councillor called the judgement by a magistrate in Walthamstow last week a 'misunderstanding'.
Ali, who has only been Mayor for 11 months, said: "I didn't know anything about it to be honest.
"Nobody sent us a letter or a summons to the court. I was really surprised when they spoke to me and told me I'd been fined.
"In exceptional circumstances I took my child out of school in order to make a trip abroad with the entire family. I'm sure most parents will understand that it was not an option for us to leave her behind.
"I do however apologise for this decision and wish to make it clear that I would not condone this behaviour in normal circumstances.
"It was sorted out beforehand, although we were a couple of days late getting back."
The Hajj attracts an estimated two million pilgrims every year. Muslims must complete it at least once in their lifetime, so long as they are physically and economically able.
The council's policy on holidays specifically excludes pilgrimages as avoidable absences. Other time off for religious matters is limited to a maximum of three days at the discretion of the school.
A council spokesperson said: "Waltham Forest Council does not condone removing young people unnecessarily from education during term time.
"This disrupts their learning and may lead to young people missing vital lessons.
"The Council will seek to punish those responsible regardless of status or position within the local community."
Ali became a magistrate in April 2004, but stepped down in May 2007 when he was made mayor. He has four sons and a daughter.
WALTHAM FOREST: Mayor prosecution saga continues
9:47am Wednesday 9th April 2008
THE saga of Waltham Forest Mayor Liaquat Ali's prosecution for taking his daughter out of school has taken another twist after a court asked for proof he had paid a fine.
Cllr Ali was fined £200 last week after it was found he had failed to pay a previous penalty for taking his daughter on a pilgrimage during term time without permission.
But the council asked for the increased fine to be rescinded at Redbridge Magistrates Court on Tuesday after a £100 cheque, believed to be from Cllr Ali, turned up in a Town Hall safe.
Margaret Quantell, the council's senior education welfare officer, told the court: "On April 1 a representative of Mr Ali's, believed to be his son, came into the finance department of the council and said that he had paid the £100 amount.
"A cheque for £100 was found in the safe of the finance department and it was decided that this must be the money from Mr and Mrs Ali."
However, the council did not present a receipt or any paperwork to the court to prove the cheque had in fact been paid by Cllr Ali.
District Judge John Woolford said he needed more information before rescinding the previous court order and accepting that Cllr Ali had paid the fine.
He said: "I think this is a case where the public want a proper explanation that the money found in the safe did belong to the gentleman, in this case Mr Ali, who said he had paid it."
The council has blamed its former education provider EduAction for the mix-up over the Mayor's court fine.
A council spokesman said: "The council can confirm that after investigation, evidence produced by the council's previous education partner, EduAction, shows the original fixed penalty was in fact paid and not recorded.
"It seems a clerical error on behalf of an EduAction officer led to the Mayor's initial payment not being recorded, which in turn led to a court summons."
Relations between the council and its former education partner are thought to be strained after a row broke out over who was responsible for a mistake which blew a £3.4million hole in the education budget.
Cllr Ali is a magistrate of the court which fined him, it has also emerged.
Although he has not been sitting at Waltham Forest Magistrates Court during his term as mayor, magistrates who fall foul of the law, or affect the reputation of their office, are investigated by the Courts Service.
The case is examined by a committee, which can refer it to the Office of Judicial Complaints.
Speaking from Pakistan where he is currently on holiday, Cllr Ali said he did not want to comment further about the matter, but said he would be following up the issue later.
WALTHAM FOREST Mayor, Cllr Liaquat Ali is a magistrate of the court which fined him for taking his daughter out of school without permission.
The councillor has not been sitting as a magistrate in Waltham Forest Magistrates Court, Forest Road, Walthamstow, during his time as Mayor.
Magistrates and judges who fall foul of the law or who do things which may affect the reputation of their office are investigated by The Office of Judicial Complaints.
Their case is looked into by a local advisory committee which can refer it to the Office of Judicial Complaints.
This office decides if there's a case to answer and if so, appoints an independent judge to look into it who can then refer the matter to the Lord Chancellor or the Lord Chief Justice.
A spokesman from the Judicial Communications Office said: "It's no way near this stage yet and may never get there. It's far too early to go into any of that but we are aware of the issue."
Queen honours Cllr Liaquat Ali
Friday, 01 July, 2011 08:02:00 PM
Waltham Forest Councillor Liaquat Ali JP has been honoured by Her Majesty the Queen in her birthday Honours List announced on 11th June 2011.
Cllr Liaquat Ali, who has lived in Waltham Forest for more than 43 years, has been awarded an MBE for his tireless service to the people of Waltham Forest Borough.
Cllr Liaquat Ali has been a councillor in Waltham Forest since 1994 and was also Mayor in 2007/08.
Cllr Ali said: 'I am privileged, humbled and honoured to have received this award from her Majesty the Queen after being made an MBE. It came as a complete shock; it was the most fantastic surprise I could ever hope for. You don’t expect to receive such a special honour and to be recognised in this way.'
'It is a nice feeling when you know people have seen and appreciate the work I do and have done in the past. This is as much an honour for my family as it is for me. I will continue to work with all communities in the borough and my fellow councillors to make a real difference to everyone in Waltham Forest.'
Leader of The Council, Cllr Chris Robbins said,
'My friend and colleague, Cllr Liaquat Ali, has a long history of working incredibly hard for our borough. He knows the place inside and out and he cares about its people. He works tirelessly to get the best for them and the MBE is a well-deserved recognition for his hard work over many years.'
During his time in Waltham Forest Liaquat has been involved with many community groups and has held a series of senior posts and carried responsibility for key portfolios. Some of particular note, include:
• School Governor
• Lay Visitor, ensuring fair treatment of people in custody
• Worked with young people to encourage them to improve their life skills through fitness
• Worked with the business community across the borough to promote work opportunities for young people
Since becoming councillor in 1994, Cllr Ali has held the following posts:
• Mayor of Waltham Forest
• Deputy Leader of The Council
• Chair of Housing Finance
• Chair of Corporate Services
• Cabinet Member for Health & Social Services
• Cabinet Member for Community Engagement & Equalities
• Deputy Mayor London Borough Waltham Forest
• Cabinet Member For Children & Young People
• Non executive Director for PCT Waltham Forest
• Vice Chair of London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority
Currently, Cllr Ali is:
• Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion
• Justice of Peace – (Magistrate)
• Chairman & Deputy Leader of the Labour group on London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority
• Chairman of British Muslim Mayors Association UK
• Chairman of Pakistani & Kashmiri Councillors Forum London
• Co-chair Global Peace Festival UK
• Ambassador of peace
WALTHAM FOREST: Councillor made MBE
3:17pm Tuesday 20th December 2011 in News
Cllr Liaquat Ali
A LABOUR councillor has been made an MBE.
Cllr Liaquat Ali, cabinet member for community safety, received the
honour from Prince Charles on December 14 for his service to the people
of Waltham Forest.
Cllr Ali, who has been a councillor since 1994, was informed that he had been made an MBE in June.
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these people are really disgusting, they have very dirty properties and his son Mr ali is treating their tenets to leave the property without giving back one month deposit.
ReplyDeleteThe landlord Mr ali is just trying to show his father's power but not following any law.
I have question to all readers that is there not any law for these kinds of people in the UK LONDON?