Just been announced full story soonest!
Rotherham Council deputy resigns
Councillor Jahangir Akhtar has tonight stepped down from his role as Deputy Leader of Rotherham Council and as Vice Chair of the Police and Crime Panel, Rotherham Council has announced.
The council has also referred allegations made in The Times newspaper today, relating to Coun Akhtar, to South Yorkshire Police.
A council spokesman said it would be for the police ‘to consider if any criminal offence has been committed and to undertake any appropriate criminal investigation’.
Mr Akhtar said his resignation was ‘temporary’. Read on…
The emperor has just lost all his clothes!
Who’s Next?
Rotherham Politics 
Time was coming the bad the good and the ugly.
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Good riddance to bad rubbish
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And the circular firing squad begins…I predict a few more before the week is out hopefully including the PCC!
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This bitter and twisted man is hardly going to fall on his sword alone is he! I can hear the hearts pounding around the Town Hall!
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He must have something on someone to get where he did.
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The evidence must have been substantial for him to resign, I hope there’s a prosecution in the pipeline.
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Good riddance ! Now for the rest of them to come crashing down into the filthy mire they crawled out of.
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Moofay my son ur next u and ur cronnies are all coruptd
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Time to broaden the net…….
S Y Police
Thacker
Chief exec
Stone and mates on council
PCC Wright
Advertiser
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You may have forgotten one, Radio Sheffield
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Remember falkirk.
We dont need no evidence to suspend you.
Elementary my dear watson
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Our response to Cllr Akhtar’s resignation.
http://www.rotherhamconservatives.org.uk/news/cllr-akhtar-resigns-rotherham-conservatives-statement
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just how long can rmbc go on …. r stone must be s……himself !!
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Can we ask Mr Mehrban
What has the conservative done to the country instead of killing the poor?
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Can we have a little less political partisanship when it comes to this hugely important issue. Thanks Rothpol
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Let me ask you; Do you support the actions of RMBC and the Labour party or do you prefer to post silly comments slagging off another political party?
You’re a pathetic person who misses the point of this thread, in case you do not understand it is about Labour controlled RMBC failing to protect children from predators.
Now you’ve made clear where your political sympathies lie perhaps you would like to tell us why members of other political parties should not comment. Most of us-irrespective of our political beliefs-wholeheartedly condemn child abuse no matter who he/she is or what party they support.
Read all the other posts on here, you might learn something.
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No tears shed here for a most despicable indivudual.
For once we all seem unified despite our political diffrences from time to time. But one thing has brought us together and that is the need for justice for the poor victims of this outrage. If I was of a religous nature my prayers would go out to them. However, since I am not – can I just say to them – remember we care – and we willl keep on battling to ensure you get justice.. You are not alone.
As for who’s next? We will see. I just have a little worry however that somehow we (of all political shades) have still got a long way to go before we can say ‘at last everyone knows what happened’. Believe me this scandal reaches further than the usual ‘political’ suspects.
By the way Omar – nice press release. Just one point however – when the truth does ‘come out’ it goes a lot deeper than local elected politicians. There are some very ‘powerful non elected individuals (I know I’m still fighting them) within the RMBC and South Yorkshire Police’s ‘higher ranks’ that were ‘in on the cover up’ and still are. They must be held accountable too. And I mean must.
My thanks to RothPol and everyone else who has kept this issue going. Keep up the fight! Bless you all.
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ADVERTISER SILENT.
where is the independence of jounalistic code of the local rag.
It appears they have colluded with the council and police to keep it quiet.
To protect local relationships and vested intrests?
Its took a national paper to do the graft.
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What is the point of referring this to SY Police? There needs tone an immediate inquiry by an outside force or Independant body.
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I really feel that this may be the most crucial issue here. SY police are corrupt at the best of times and are, as has been said, one of the accountable agencies here. This is a deplorable crime and anyone found to be in on the cover up of it must face prosecution. To ensure a fair, impartial ivestigation this must be ivestigated by in independent outside force.
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Hope that they have confiscated aktars and their passports to flee justice
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Let us not get too exited, Akhtar’s resignation is ‘temporary’. This means his head will be below the parapet when the soft brown stuff hits the whirly thing. His temporary absence from the Deputy Leadership will not allow him to deny any responsibility or knowledge of what happened in RMBC’s failure to protect vulnerable children.
This is going to cause a major headache for Jacqui Collins (Head of Legal Services). Is she competent enough to handle a criminal investigation or will she spend more of our money employing a proper Barrister/QC? Or two.
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Akhtar and his cronies have been allowed to get away with many injustices while they have been in power. The Rotherham community needs to ask it self what has Akhtar actually done for them in all the time he has been in power?
The likely hood of the Police actually investigating properly is very small and I can’t see Akhtar putting up with that anyway. Crooked Akhtar will be protected to an inch of his life by his old ‘mates’. We would hope and pray that his cronies on the Police and Crime Panel are too busy crapping themselves covering their own arses.
Police are PAID to protect the public not their own interests nor line their pockets.
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Rothpol, the Times, yvonne ridley everyone on this web site.
Thank you.
Please can we have a public meeting NOW.
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The most one can hope for is that is getting closer to the end of the beginning.
All respect to Rothpol for his role in getting it this far.
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We must demand an independent investigation by an outside force.
S yorks police is part of problem and coverup. They must be held to account too.
They are intrinsinkly linked to council and not impartial. Some may say bent.
They have previous too like with hillsbrough and orgreave coverups.
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Why no comment or condemnation of the grooming and rapes by female coucillors and members on the council.
They are highly paid public servants and should use their voice.
One would expect them to speak out of these disgraceful crimes against the vulnerable and young girls.
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I agree Emily and that is what I have been sying and trying to address for thelast 4 years. Hopefull the culprits in highly paid management will be included in any investigation too,
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The only way there can be a proper police investigation into this man’s activities and wrongdoings is for the Police and Crime Commissioner to resign NOW! He was as much involved in this cover up as Akhtar was and the only way this can be a fair and just investigation is for the South Yorkshire Police to be free of this despicable man, Wright.
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Emily no women is going to speak.
Sarah Champion the one asbo walked out on and the next day he was campaining for, he invited her to his daughter wedding and the rest is history. She wont speak against akhtar.
Shabana bit on side will never speak.
Labour policy was to every ward there would be one female councillor.
Surely it takes one women councillor to speak.
One town one community blah blah.
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Sarah Champion MP
@SarahChampionMP
Proud to be the Labour MP for Rotherham. I promise I will always put Rotherham first.
sarahchampionmp.com
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Paddy J Cawkwell @PaddyJCawkwell
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@SarahChampionMP Hello Sarah, I hope you’re well. Any views on the recent events in Rotherham?
Sarah Champion MP
@SarahChampionMP
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“@PaddyJCawkwell: Appalled at allegations & glad police are investigating. All children deserve to be protected & have a safe childhood.
11:40pm – 23 Aug 13.
@SarahChampionMP It might be that folk start listening…how long have we been stood on the roof shouting about this?
11:49pm – 23 Aug 13
When has she been openly critical of these people? Shouting from the rooftops? She was at his daughters wedding a few weeks ago….parasites!
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What did these people know? They were responsible for scrutinising the work of Wright et al and holding them to account! I want these people to come forward and tell the public what they know about which councillors, employees knew what, when and what did they do in terms of the rape and trafficking of children in our town!
The Former Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny panel 2005-2010
2005
Councillor Gwendoline Ann Russell Chair
Councillor Shaukat Ali Councillor Member
Councillor Colin Barron Vice-Chair
Councillor Barry Dodson Councillor Member
Councillor Barry Kaye Councillor Member
Councillor Patricia Lee Councillor Member
Councillor Neil License Councillor Member
Councillor Rose McNeely Councillor Member
Councillor Amy Rushforth Councillor Member
Councillor John Swift Councillor Member
2006
Councillor Gwendoline Ann Russell Chair Present
Councillor Shaukat Ali Councillor Member Expected
Councillor Colin Barron Vice-Chair Present
Councillor Barry Dodson Councillor Member Present
Councillor Barry Kaye Councillor Member Expected
Councillor Neil License Councillor Member Expected
Councillor Rose McNeely Councillor Member Present
Councillor Amy Rushforth Councillor Member Expected
Councillor John Swift Councillor Member Present
2007
Councillor Gwendoline Ann Russell Chair
Councillor Shaukat Ali Member
Councillor Colin Barron Member
Councillor Josephine Burton Vice-Chairman
Councillor Simon Currie Member
Councillor Barry Dodson Member
Councillor Barry Kaye Member
Councillor Neil License Member
Councillor Gavin Sharp Member
Councillor John Swift Member
Councillor Shaun Wright Guest
Councillor Amy Rushforth Guest
2008
Councillor Gwendoline Ann Russell Chair
Councillor Shaukat Ali Member
Councillor Colin Barron Member
Councillor Josephine Burton Vice-Chairman
Councillor Simon Currie Member
Councillor Barry Dodson Member
Councillor Barry Kaye Member
Councillor Neil License Member
Councillor Gavin Sharp Member
Councillor John Swift Member
Taiba Yasseen, (REMA)
Councillor Shaun Wright Gues
Councillor Amy Rushforth Guest
2009
Councillor Gwendoline Ann Russell Chair
Councillor Shaukat Ali Member
Councillor Josephine Burton Member
Councillor Barry Dodson Member
Councillor Lynda Donaldson Member
Councillor Thomas Fenoughty Member
Councillor Darren Hughes Member
Councillor Barry Kaye Member
Councillor Amy Rushforth Member
Councillor Shaun Wright Guest
Councillor Kath Sims Member
2010
Councillor Gwendoline Ann Russell Chair
Councillor Shaukat Ali Member
Councillor Alan Buckley Member
Councillor Barry Dodson Member
Councillor Lynda Donaldson Member
Councillor Jacquie Falvey Member
Councillor Thomas Fenoughty Member
Councillor Barry Kaye Member
Councillor Amy Rushforth Member
Councillor Gavin Sharp Member
Councillor Kath Sims Member
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Well they can’t say that they didn’t discuss both issues mentioned in The Times report. Here is a meeting with documents proving the fact. Runaway children and sexual exploitation were discussed on this day.
http://moderngov.rotherham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=566&MId=6797&Ver=4
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Thank you for posting this list as it certainly makes for interesting reading. Cllr Amy Rushforth appears on this list every year, and my own research shows that her attendance to meetings of this comittee is around 32 percent. If she can’t even be bothered to attend meetings how can she possibly expect to represent the needs of any in Rotherham. Guilty by neglegance! This is another major issue to be adressed here.
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I agree Joe. She is definitely her father’s daughter (kevin Barron). Get what you can from the public purse whilst doing very little by way of your electorate. I expect that she will be standing for re-election for Maltby in May 2014…Maybe the people of Maltby deserve better! Did she only take 32% of her allowance? She has had a very close friendship with Shaun Wright for many years. As a member of this panel and a cabinet member, was she privy to inside information regarding the grooming, rape and trafficking of children? Also, what was her role in scrutinising what was happening re this and what did she know through her cabinet briefings? Time to speak up Amy Barron Rushforth! What did you do? What did you know? What do you know about what other’s knew/know? You were there scrutinising the work of the people who were responsible for keeping the children of Rotherham safe! Let us hear what you have to say!
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Emporer not lost his clothes yet as only resigned as dep Leader. Where is the resignation of his seat? We need mass resignations of all concerned. We need mass by elections for council in Rotherham immediately. We need childrens services in RMBC put into special measures oif some sort. The Sypcc is also too compromised to investigate why his for ce brokered deals to allow perpetrators to escape, why he appointed a politician who brokered such a deal allegedly as vice chair of his panel.iHe needs to step down too or at very least not lead any enquiries. He has too much history in both roles of RMBC and SYP in this. We need independent enquiry or maybe even a royal commission and I wait with baited breath for Champion and Miliband to support a call for these.
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@Anonymous.
Thanks for posting the list. It makes interesting reading for me particularly as Cllr.Jo Burton loves to pretend she cares for the interests of the residents of Anston.
She was Vice Chairman (unfortunate phrase perhaps?) of the Scrutiny Panel in 2007 & 2008 and a committee member in 2009. Jo Burton wrote in her letter to the ‘Advertiser’ on 2nd August: ” We listen to ALL voices”. Obviously she missed the cries of the children who were being abused but instead listened to those who told her everything was fine. “Nothing to see here, move along”
The former Chairman of Anston PC-and Labour councillor for Wales- Dominic Beck is also a member of Rotherham’s Safeguarding Children, Young People and Families Services Committee.
Another failure by a Labour councillor to do his job.
Every member of these panels must be investigated and questioned and I hope the (outside) Police force show as much diligence in this investigation as their collegues did when they investigated those involved in the Saville case.
Nothing less will do.
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Councillor Beck is also on the board of the Unity centre. Several weeks ago I asked him a few searching questions regarding the running of the centre, he said he would get back to me on this. Never heard from him again!
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I see from the Star website that Ms Champion’s major comment of the day, yesterday, was to call for more organ donations in South Yorkshire. May I suggest we start with a heart and a brain for RMBC ?
Now if a conscience could be classified as an organ…
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And Rotherham Advertiser website leads with a story about a missing parrot being found Isn’t Rotherham just a wonderful place? A headline about chickens coming home might have been more appropriate? Unbelievable….
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Advertiser blindness and silence is part of problem too.
Not holding council to account.
Wonder why???
Answers to the editor …..Mr Mosley
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Taiba Yaseen the one who wrote to Rothpol recently, the one who was behind Lets make bradford british, the one who is one of the 3 who had there painting done in Rotherham for the hard work she does.
Well done you kept this quite.
She was the one who was chief exc officer for REMA and now its Azizaam Akhtar.
You certainly made rotherham proud.
Well done
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Taiba yaseen father is board member for unity centre
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advertiser dont want to know about any problems in rotherham … fact !
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I have a rational explanation for the Advertisers lack of, even basic curiosity, dating back to not long after Doug Melloy retired in fact, but lack sufficient corroboration, at this time, to bring it to readers! Perhaps a reader can help?
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Still no comment from any Labour representatives! If they think this will go away they are mistaken. Their silence is deafening. What are they afraid of? Who are they afraid of? Maybe they are afraid of losing their place at the trough. Are their bulging salaries more important than the people/children that they are supposed to represent? Have they been ordered into silence by Stone? Are they afraid of him? Maybe our elected Councillors agree with the advertiser and deem it less important of an issue than an escaped parrot!
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