Bracknell council leader and cabinet member suspended from Labour
There are allegations they helped with a fundraiser for the former mayor convicted of trying to help cover up a rape her son committed
The leader of Bracknell Forest Council and a top councillor have been suspended from the Labour Party following allegations they helped with a fundraiser for the former mayor convicted of trying to help cover up a rape her son committed.
Mary Temperton, the leader of the council, and Cllr Roy Bailey, the cabinet member for children and young people have been suspended from Labour.
Susan Halliwell, chief executive, said: “Bracknell Forest Council has been made aware that two councillors have been suspended by their political party. This is an internal matter for the party, and the council is not involved in party disciplinary processes.
“The councillors remain elected members of the council unless they choose to resign their seat. As with all councillors, they are expected to continue to uphold the standards of public office and comply with the council’s Code of Conduct.
“Bracknell Forest Council has no ability or power to remove a councillor from their seat or role.
“Likewise, the council cannot comment on if, or when, a councillor steps down from their role. This is a matter for the individual and the relevant political party.
“As this is a matter for the political party concerned, we are unable to comment further.”
It is understood that councillors Temperton and Bailey have been suspended from the Labour Party pending a disciplinary investigation.
This news comes amid turmoil after former mayor Naheed Ejaz was found guilty of helping her son Diwan Khan conceal evidence on his phone showing that he had raped a 15-year-old girl after plying her with ecstasy (MDMA).
Ejaz and her son Khan were both convicted following a trial at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday, February 12.
In a joint statement, councillors Temperton and Bailey said: “Our thoughts, first and foremost, are with the victim. Violence against women and girls is appalling and I am pleased justice has been served.
“We wholeheartedly apologise for this error in judgement. It was a completely misguided act of attempted charity made without the full facts.
“We have spent decades in public service and we are both mortified that an attempt at helping someone we believed to be in crisis could be construed as minimising or detracting from these appalling crimes.”
A Labour spokesperson added: “We were appalled to learn of the crime committed by Naheed Ejaz. It is right that justice has been served.
“The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken.”
Ejaz served as the first Muslim mayor of Bracknell Forest from May 2023 to April 2024.
Khan served as her mayoral consort, but his duties ended in January 2024.
Ejaz stepped down as a Labour councillor for Great Hollands in September 2024, the same month she and her son were arrested.
Rumours about the suspensions of councillors Temperton and Bailey began on Friday, with the allegation being that they helped with a fundraiser for Ejaz.
However, it is unclear when this fundraiser began and its purpose.
Councillor Gareth Barnard (Conservatives, Whitegrove), leader of the Conservative group, said that the Labour group on the council will have to appoint a new group leader.
The council leader can only be appointed at a full meeting of the council.
Councillor Temperton represents Great Hollands and cllr Bailey represents the Town Centre & The Parks ward.