Revision as of 13:15, 23 July 2023 editKeith D (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Administrators544,610 edits →Convictions of attempted rape and sexual assault: author format← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 18:36, 8 January 2025 edit undo2601:c6:4300:89d0:51f4:7019:f90f:af76 (talk)No edit summaryTags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit | ||
(43 intermediate revisions by 31 users not shown) | |||
Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}} | ||
{{Infobox officeholder | {{Infobox officeholder | ||
| | |||
| honorific-prefix = ] | |||
| name = The Lord Ahmed | | name = The Lord Ahmed | ||
| honorific-suffix = |
| honorific-suffix = | ||
| image = Official portrait of Lord Ahmed crop 2.jpg | | image = Official portrait of Lord Ahmed crop 2.jpg | ||
| caption = Official portrait, 2018 | | caption = Official portrait, 2018 | ||
Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
| term_end = 14 November 2020 | | term_end = 14 November 2020 | ||
| birth_name = Nazir Ahmed | | birth_name = Nazir Ahmed | ||
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1957|04|24|df=yes}}<ref name=debretts>{{cite web |url=http://www.debretts.com/people/biographies/search/results/20298/Nazir%20Ahmed%20AHMED.aspx |title=The Lord Ahmed's Biography |work=] |
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1957|04|24|df=yes}}<ref name=debretts>{{cite web |url=http://www.debretts.com/people/biographies/search/results/20298/Nazir%20Ahmed%20AHMED.aspx |title=The Lord Ahmed's Biography |work=]}}</ref> | ||
| birth_place = ], ], ] | | birth_place = ], ], ] | ||
| death_date = |
| death_date = | ||
| death_place = |
| death_place = | ||
| nationality = ] | | nationality = ] | ||
| party = ]<ref name=parliamentbio>{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/lords/member/3470/career |title=Lord Ahmed |work=]}}</ref> (2013–2020) | | party = ]<ref name=parliamentbio>{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/lords/member/3470/career |title=Lord Ahmed |work=]}}</ref> (2013–2020) | ||
| otherparty = ] (until 2013) | | otherparty = ] (until 2013) | ||
| spouse = Sakina Bibi | | spouse = Sakina Bibi | ||
| relations = |
| relations = | ||
| children = 3 | | children = 3 | ||
| residence = ] | | residence = ] | ||
| alma_mater = ] | | alma_mater = ] | ||
| occupation = Property development and management <ref name=parliamentbio /> | | occupation = Property development and management <ref name=parliamentbio /> | ||
| profession = |
| profession = | ||
<!--| religion = ]--> | <!--| religion = ]--> | ||
| signature = |
| signature = | ||
| website = |
| website = | ||
| footnotes = |
| footnotes = | ||
|module = {{Infobox criminal | | module = '''Criminal information''' {{Infobox criminal |child=yes | ||
|criminal_charge = {{Hlist|]|]}} | |criminal_charge = {{Hlist|]|]}} | ||
|conviction = {{Hlist|]|]}} | |conviction = {{Hlist|]|]}} | ||
Line 43: | Line 43: | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Nazir Ahmed, Baron Ahmed''' ({{ |
'''Nazir Ahmed, Baron Ahmed''' ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq| نذیر احمد }}}}, born 24 April 1957) is a former ] politician and convicted ]. He was appointed a ] in 1998 by the ] Government. | ||
Many of his political activities related to the ] community both in the UK and abroad. In 2013, he alleged a ] for a prison sentence he received following a fatal motorway crash. He was suspended from, and later resigned from, the ]. | |||
Many of his political activities related to the ] community both in the UK and abroad. In 2013, he alleged that he was the victim of a ] for receiving a prison sentence as a result of a 2007 traffic incident in which he was convicted in relation to the death of another driver. Ahmed claimed that "My case became more critical because I went to ] to support ]. My ] friends ] opposed this." As a result, alongside his custodial sentence he was suspended from, and later resigned from, the ], who said that it "deplores and does not tolerate any sort of racism or anti-Semitism." | |||
⚫ | He faced expulsion from the ] in 2020 on account of sexually exploiting a woman who had approached him in 2017 in his capacity as a member of the House, and resigned from the House after a recommendation of its ] that he be expelled, but before it was implemented.<ref name=daysbefore>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54975932|title=Lord Ahmed retires from Parliament days before expulsion|date=17 November 2020|work=BBC News|quote=retired from Parliament after seeing a conduct report recommending he be expelled}}</ref> However, he |
||
⚫ | He faced expulsion from the ] in 2020 on account of sexually exploiting a woman who had approached him in 2017 in his capacity as a member of the House, and resigned from the House after a recommendation of its ] that he be expelled, but before it was implemented.<ref name=daysbefore>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54975932|title=Lord Ahmed retires from Parliament days before expulsion|date=17 November 2020|work=BBC News|quote=retired from Parliament after seeing a conduct report recommending he be expelled}}</ref> However, he continues to be a life peer, although not a member of the House.<ref name="stillpeer">{{cite web |date=2022-01-05 |title=Rother Valley MP calls for Lord Ahmed to be stripped of peerage after guilty verdict |url=https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2022-01-05/rother-valley-mp-calls-for-lord-ahmed-to-be-stripped-of-peerage |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409152313/https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2022-01-05/rother-valley-mp-calls-for-lord-ahmed-to-be-stripped-of-peerage |archive-date=9 April 2022 |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=]}}</ref> On 5 January 2022 he was found guilty of historical sex offences, committed when he was a teenager, being the attempted rape of a child under 13 years of age and ] of another.<ref name="BBC050122">{{cite news |date=2022-01-05 |title=Lord Ahmed: Former peer guilty of trying to rape girl |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-59607283 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405220440/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-59607283 |archive-date=2023-04-05 |access-date=2024-06-09 |work=]}}</ref> He was sentenced to five years and six months in prison, reduced on appeal to two years and six months. | ||
== Early life == | == Early life == | ||
Ahmed was born in ], ], ] on 24 April 1957 to Haji Sain Mohammed and Rashim Bibi. His parents migrated the family to the United Kingdom when he was |
Ahmed was born in ], ], ] on 24 April 1957 to Haji Sain Mohammed and Rashim Bibi. His parents migrated the family to the United Kingdom when he was 2 and he has lived in ], South Yorkshire, since 1959. He attended ], then ].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OX8ZN5qFKZgC|title=Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage|date=2 March 2019|publisher=Debrett's Peerage Limited|isbn=9781870520737|via=Google Books}}</ref> He studied for a degree in ] at ] and joined the Labour Party when he was 18 years old.<ref name=bbcprofile>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7795234.stm |title=Profile: Lord Ahmed |date=25 February 2009 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref name=guardprofile>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/feb/25/lord-ahmed-peer-labour-muslim |title=Profile: Lord Ahmed |date=25 February 2009 |work=]}}</ref> | ||
== Politics == | == Politics == | ||
In 1990 Ahmed began his political career as a local Labour Party councillor, becoming the chair of the ] Labour Party in 1993 and holding both positions until 2000. He founded the British Muslim Councillors' Forum and was a ] between 1992 and 2000.<ref name=debretts /> |
In 1990 Ahmed began his political career as a local Labour Party councillor, becoming the chair of the ] Labour Party in 1993 and holding both positions until 2000. He founded the British Muslim Councillors' Forum and was a ] between 1992 and 2000.<ref name=debretts /> He was the first Asian councillor in Rotherham and the town's youngest magistrate.<ref name=timesprofile>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/profile-nazir-ahmed-8scmp8wjdz9 |title=Profile: Nazir Ahmed |date=14 March 2013 |work=The Times |location= London |url-access=subscription}}</ref> He enjoyed backing from the Pakistan government, and was known for lobbying in the ] on the ] on Pakistan's behalf. This advocacy included holding anti-India protests outside the Indian Embassy in London.<ref name=NationPak1>{{cite news |url=https://nation.com.pk/27-Jan-2018/clashes-in-london-after-lord-nazir-calls-for-kashmir-s-independence?show=preview/ |title=Clashes in London after Lord Nazir calls for Kashmir's independence |date=27 January 2018 |work=]}}</ref><ref name=BizStd1>{{cite news |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/my-detention-at-islamabad-airport-was-humiliating-and-embarrassing-lord-ahmed-nazir-118122800850_1.html |title=My detention at Islamabad airport was humiliating and embarrassing: Lord Ahmed Nazir |date=28 December 2018 |work=]}}</ref><ref name=NDTV1>{{cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/lord-nazir-ahmed-pak-backer-on-kashmir-in-uk-accused-of-having-sex-with-vulnerable-women-1993981 | title= Pak Backer In UK Parliament Allegedly Had Sex With Women Who Sought Help |date=14 February 2019 |work=]}}</ref><ref name=freepresskashmir2>{{cite news |url= https://freepresskashmir.com/2019/07/06/across-the-loc-and-the-oceans-the-dark-horses/ | title= Across the LoC and the Oceans: The Dark horses|date=6 July 2019 |work=freepresskashmir.com}}</ref> He claims to have changed the policies of the Labour Party to the extent that, for the first time in British history, Kashmir was discussed on the floor of the conference.<ref name=freepresskashmir1>{{cite news |url= https://freepresskashmir.com/2019/07/02/across-the-loc-and-the-oceans-first-movers-the-mirpuris/ | title= Across the LoC and the Oceans: First Movers – The Mirpuris|date=2 July 2019 |work=freepresskashmir.com}}</ref> He is associated with the Justice Foundation, which organised that conference and whose director at that time was ] – a Pakistani Kashmir lobbyist arrested by the USA for spying and illegal lobbying, and according to US prosecutors the Justice Foundation's ''Kashmir Centres'' in UK, USA and Saudi Arabia are run on behalf of the Pakistani government and its military intelligence ].<ref name=freepresskashmir3>{{cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/8698901/Pakistani-spies-in-the-Houses-of-Parliament.html |title='Pakistani spies' in the Houses of Parliament |date=12 August 2011 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London}}</ref> | ||
Ahmed was created a ], '''Baron Ahmed''', ''of ] in the ]'', on 3 August 1998.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=55217 |date=6 August 1998 |page=8583}}</ref> Although there have been many claims that he was the first Muslim life peer,<ref name=bbcprofile /> including by Ahmed himself,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.upf.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=556 |title=Lord Tarsem King of West Bromwich Tribute |
Ahmed was created a ], '''Baron Ahmed''', ''of ] in the ]'', on 3 August 1998.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=55217 |date=6 August 1998 |page=8583}}</ref> Although there have been many claims that he was the first Muslim life peer,<ref name=bbcprofile /> including by Ahmed himself,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.upf.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=556 |title=Lord Tarsem King of West Bromwich Tribute |work=UPF UK |date=10 February 2013 |access-date=19 March 2013 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927121921/http://uk.upf.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=556 |url-status=dead}}</ref> or the first male Muslim peer,<ref name=debretts /> he was in fact the third Muslim life peer; the other two, ] and ], were raised to the ] on 18 July<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199798/minutes/980721/ldminute.htm |title=House of Lords Minutes of Proceedings |work=Parliament of the United Kingdom |date=21 July 1998}}</ref> whereas Lord Ahmed was so raised on 3 August.<ref name=holaug>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199798/minutes/981013/ldminute.htm |title=House of Lords Minutes of Proceedings |work=Parliament of the United Kingdom |date=13 October 1998}}</ref> There have been earlier Muslim ]s, the first being the ] in 1869. | ||
He led the first delegation on behalf of the British Government on the Muslim pilgrimage of the ].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.britishhajjdelegation.org.uk/about.php |title= About Us |work=British Hajj Delegation}}</ref> |
He led the first delegation on behalf of the British Government on the Muslim pilgrimage of the ].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.britishhajjdelegation.org.uk/about.php |title= About Us |work=British Hajj Delegation}}</ref> At home, he spoke on wider equality issues, and spoke several times on issues of race, religion and gender; he advocated legislation against religious discrimination<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199900/ldhansrd/vo000607/text/00607-08.htm |title=Race Relations (Religious Discrimination) Bill |date=7 June 2000 |work=Parliament of the United Kingdom}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/1716526.stm|title=Profile: Lord Nazir Ahmed|work=BBC News|date=17 December 2001}}</ref> | ||
He tried to calm tensions following the aftermath of the ] in 2001.<ref name=bbcprofile /> However, on 23 February 2005, he hosted a book launch in the House of Lords for the controversial Swedish writer ], during which the latter claimed, among other things: "The Jews like an Empire.... This love of Empire explains the easiness Jews change their allegiance.... Simple minds call it 'treacherous behaviour', but it is actually love of Empire per se." |
He tried to calm tensions following the aftermath of the ] in 2001.<ref name=bbcprofile /> However, on 23 February 2005, he hosted a book launch in the House of Lords for the controversial Swedish writer ], during which the latter claimed, among other things: "The Jews like an Empire.... This love of Empire explains the easiness Jews change their allegiance.... Simple minds call it 'treacherous behaviour', but it is actually love of Empire per se." Shamir also claimed, "Jews... own, control and edit a big share of mass media", a statement that was to be echoed by Lord Ahmed in ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/03/antisemitism-hatred-wont-go-away?INTCMP=SRCH |title=Antisemitism: the hatred that refuses to go away |date=3 March 2011 |work=The Guardian |location= London}}</ref> Although this invitation raised some controversy, Ahmed firmly refused to discuss the matter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/stephenpollard/100207038/lord-ahmed-controversy-if-a-labour-politician-said-something-rude-about-muslims-instead-of-jews-theyd-be-drummed-out-immediately/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317025258/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/stephenpollard/100207038/lord-ahmed-controversy-if-a-labour-politician-said-something-rude-about-muslims-instead-of-jews-theyd-be-drummed-out-immediately/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 March 2013 |title=Lord Ahmed controversy: if a Labour politician said something rude about Muslims instead of Jews, they'd be drummed out immediately |work=The Telegraph |date=14 March 2013}}</ref> | ||
In August 2006 he was a signatory to an open letter to prime minister ] criticising the UK's foreign policy.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4787119.stm |title=Minister criticises Muslim letter |work=BBC News |date=12 August 2006}}</ref> | In August 2006 he was a signatory to an open letter to prime minister ] criticising the UK's foreign policy.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4787119.stm |title=Minister criticises Muslim letter |work=BBC News |date=12 August 2006}}</ref> | ||
On 19 June 2007 Ahmed criticised the honouring of ] with a knighthood because of what he saw as Rushdie's offensiveness to Islam.<ref name=standard1>{{cite news |title=£80,000 reward to 'execute' Rushdie as knighthood row escalates |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23401048-details/%C2%A380%2C000+reward+to+%27execute%27+Rushdie+as+knighthood+row+escalates/article.do |date=19 June 2007 |work=] |access-date=20 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621213140/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23401048-details/%C2%A380,000+reward+to+'execute'+Rushdie+as+knighthood+row+escalates/article.do |archive-date=21 June 2007 |url-status=dead |
On 19 June 2007 Ahmed criticised the honouring of ] with a knighthood because of what he saw as Rushdie's offensiveness to Islam.<ref name=standard1>{{cite news |title=£80,000 reward to 'execute' Rushdie as knighthood row escalates |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23401048-details/%C2%A380%2C000+reward+to+%27execute%27+Rushdie+as+knighthood+row+escalates/article.do |date=19 June 2007 |work=] |access-date=20 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621213140/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23401048-details/%C2%A380,000+reward+to+'execute'+Rushdie+as+knighthood+row+escalates/article.do |archive-date=21 June 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He was reported to have said, "It's hypocrisy by Tony Blair, who two weeks ago was talking about building bridges to mainstream Muslims, and then he's honouring a man who has insulted the British public and been divisive in community relations."<ref>{{cite news |title=UK 'deeply concerned' over Rushdie comments |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/jun/19/books.pakistan |date=19 June 2007 |work=The Guardian |location=London}}</ref> "This man not only provoked violence around the world because of his writings, but there were many people who were killed around the world. Forgiving and forgetting is one thing, but honouring the man who has blood on his hands, sort of, because of what he did, I think is going a bit too far." He also said on ]'s '']'' programme that he had been appalled by the award to a man he accused of having 'blood on his hands'.<ref name=standard1 /><ref>{{cite news |title= Pakistan government intervenes in Rushdie row |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/19/wrushdie119.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827001837/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/19/wrushdie119.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 August 2007 |date=19 June 2007 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref> | ||
In September 2007, Ahmed flew to ] with Pakistan's former prime minister ], in a bid to end Sharif's exile from the country by military ruler ], who had ousted him in a coup d'état. He negotiated with police to allow Sharif to enter the airport terminal and pass through customs, but Sharif was arrested later, and deported.<ref>{{cite news | In September 2007, Ahmed flew to ] with Pakistan's former prime minister ], in a bid to end Sharif's exile from the country by military ruler ], who had ousted him in a coup d'état. He negotiated with police to allow Sharif to enter the airport terminal and pass through customs, but Sharif was arrested later, and deported.<ref>{{cite news | ||
Line 77: | Line 77: | ||
== Activities == | == Activities == | ||
Ahmed has operated as a property developer concurrent with his political career.<ref name=bbcprofile /> |
Ahmed has operated as a property developer concurrent with his political career.<ref name=bbcprofile /> He was a supporter of ] and the affairs of the ] throughout. Ahmed has exploited various charitable causes and has been on the board of several organisations, including a period as president of South Yorkshire ] and as a trustee of the ].<ref name=debretts /> He resigned from his position as a trustee of the Joseph Interfaith Foundation in March 2013 as a result of the allegations of antisemitism.<ref name=jif>{{cite web |url=http://www.josephinterfaithfoundation.org/joseph-main/previous/attachments/Press%20Releas-17-013-13.pdf |title=Official Statement from Lord Ahmed of Rotherham |date=17 March 2013 |work=Joseph Interfaith Foundation |access-date=13 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413145028/http://www.josephinterfaithfoundation.org/joseph-main/previous/attachments/Press%20Releas-17-013-13.pdf |archive-date=13 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
==Controversies== | ==Controversies== | ||
In December 2001, Ahmed claimed that his phone had been ] by the government because of his opposition to its intervention in ]. He claimed he had a heated conversation with ] minister ], during which | In December 2001, Ahmed claimed that his phone had been ] by the government because of his opposition to its intervention in ]. He claimed he had a heated conversation with ] minister ], during which MacShane claimed to have transcripts of Ahmed's private conversations. The government denied that Ahmed was under surveillance, and MacShane said that his remarks had been misinterpreted.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/1713464.stm |title=Bugging claim denied by minister |work=BBC News |date=17 December 2001}}</ref> | ||
MacShane claimed to have transcripts of Ahmed's private conversations. The government denied that Ahmed was under surveillance, and | |||
MacShane said that his remarks had been misinterpreted.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/1713464.stm |title=Bugging claim denied by minister |work=BBC News |date=17 December 2001}}</ref> | |||
In 2002, Ahmed was accused by campaign group ] of changing his position on Nestlé's sale of baby milk in Pakistan at a time when he was negotiating a paid advisory role with the company:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2002/mar/19/uk.greenpolitics |title=Labour peer under fire for Nestlé link |work=The Guardian |date=19 March 2002}}</ref> |
In 2002, Ahmed was accused by campaign group ] of changing his position on Nestlé's sale of baby milk in Pakistan at a time when he was negotiating a paid advisory role with the company:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2002/mar/19/uk.greenpolitics |title=Labour peer under fire for Nestlé link |work=The Guardian |date=19 March 2002}}</ref> he subsequently became a consultant.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uzjWRAOzywwC&pg=PA2 |title=Register of Lords' Interests: As on 16 July 2004 |publisher=House of Lords: The Stationery Office |date=16 July 2004 |page=2 |isbn=9780104849576}}</ref> | ||
On 25 July 2005, Ahmed, while interviewing with ] on ], said that the ] had an "identity crisis" and that "unfortunately, our imams and mosques have not been able to communicate the true message of Islam in the language that these young people can understand."<ref name=nprhate>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4770447 |title=Muslim Lord: Restrict Hatemongers |work=] |date=25 July 2005}}</ref> Christopher Orlet of '']'' did not agree with Ahmed's "identity crisis". He said, "That's not an identity crisis, Lord Ahmed, that's religious psychopathy. That's a bloodthirstiness that makes Dracula look like a teetotaler."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://spectator.org/archives/2005/07/28/dark-angels |title=Dark Angels |work=] |date=28 July 2005 |access-date=20 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606223715/http://spectator.org/archives/2005/07/28/dark-angels |archive-date=6 June 2013 |url-status=dead |
On 25 July 2005, Ahmed, while interviewing with ] on ], said that the ] had an "identity crisis" and that "unfortunately, our imams and mosques have not been able to communicate the true message of Islam in the language that these young people can understand."<ref name=nprhate>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4770447 |title=Muslim Lord: Restrict Hatemongers |work=] |date=25 July 2005}}</ref> Christopher Orlet of '']'' did not agree with Ahmed's "identity crisis". He said, "That's not an identity crisis, Lord Ahmed, that's religious psychopathy. That's a bloodthirstiness that makes Dracula look like a teetotaler."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://spectator.org/archives/2005/07/28/dark-angels |title=Dark Angels |work=] |date=28 July 2005 |access-date=20 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606223715/http://spectator.org/archives/2005/07/28/dark-angels |archive-date=6 June 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Ahmed did acknowledge, "the community leaders and religious leaders, who have kept very close contacts with South Asia and the Middle East rather than keeping a good contact with the British society where we live."<ref name=nprhate /> | ||
On 30 November 2006, the '']'' reported a claim by fellow Muslim and Labour parliamentarian ] that Ahmed had campaigned against him during the ] election in 2005. He alleged that Ahmed instead backed ], vice-chair of the Conservative Party, the daughter of a personal friend. According to the New Statesman's report, Warsi "welcomed Lord Ahmed's support". The ''New Statesman'' also printed Ahmed's denial, saying "I never told any constituent of Dewsbury to vote for the Tories".<ref>{{cite news |title=Labour peer urged support for Tories in 2005 election |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/node/195655 |work=] |date=30 November 2006}}</ref> |
On 30 November 2006, the '']'' reported a claim by fellow Muslim and Labour parliamentarian ] that Ahmed had campaigned against him during the ] election in 2005. He alleged that Ahmed instead backed ], vice-chair of the Conservative Party, the daughter of a personal friend. According to the New Statesman's report, Warsi "welcomed Lord Ahmed's support". The ''New Statesman'' also printed Ahmed's denial, saying "I never told any constituent of Dewsbury to vote for the Tories".<ref>{{cite news |title=Labour peer urged support for Tories in 2005 election |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/node/195655 |work=] |date=30 November 2006}}</ref> | ||
On 3 February 2009, ], a newspaper columnist, claimed that Ahmed had threatened to mobilise 10,000 Muslims to prevent anti-Islamist Dutch MP ] from entering the ] to speak at a screening of the film '']''. Wilders had been invited by a peer to debate issues of social inclusion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://spectator.co.uk/melaniephillips/3317931/the-intimidation-of-short |title=The intimidation of the House of Lords |work=] |date=3 February 2009 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206122251/http://spectator.co.uk/melaniephillips/3317931/the-intimidation-of-short |archive-date=6 February 2009 |
On 3 February 2009, ], a newspaper columnist, claimed that Ahmed had threatened to mobilise 10,000 Muslims to prevent anti-Islamist Dutch MP ] from entering the ] to speak at a screening of the film '']''. Wilders had been invited by a peer to debate issues of social inclusion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://spectator.co.uk/melaniephillips/3317931/the-intimidation-of-short |title=The intimidation of the House of Lords |work=] |date=3 February 2009 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206122251/http://spectator.co.uk/melaniephillips/3317931/the-intimidation-of-short |archive-date=6 February 2009}}</ref> This claim was later denied by Ahmed, but the House of Lords authorities had determined to provide adequate security, if necessary. In the event, the film ''Fitna'' was broadcast as planned, but Wilders was denied entry to the UK, thus leading many commentators to deplore the action by the Home Secretary ] as appeasement.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/feb/13/civil-liberties-freedom-of-speech |title=Silencing free speech |work=The Guardian |date=13 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/world/europe/12iht-britain.4.20152350.html?_r=0 |title=Britain deports Dutch 'provocateur' |date=12 February 2009 |work=]}}</ref> | ||
===Imprisonment for dangerous driving=== | ===Imprisonment for dangerous driving=== | ||
On 25 December 2007, Ahmed was involved in a crash on the ] near Rotherham in which Martin Gombar, 28, was killed. Gombar's car had been involved in a crash and he had left it in the outer lane. Apparently trying to return to his vehicle from the ] he was hit by Ahmed, who was driving his ]. Ahmed's wife and mother, who were passengers in the car, also received minor injuries.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/7161259.stm |title=Peer involved in fatal M1 crash |work=BBC News |date=27 December 2007}}</ref> | On 25 December 2007, Ahmed was involved in a crash on the ] near Rotherham in which Martin Gombar, 28, was killed. Gombar's car had been involved in a crash and he had left it in the outer lane. Apparently trying to return to his vehicle from the ] he was hit by Ahmed, who was driving his ]. Ahmed's wife and mother, who were passengers in the car, also received minor injuries.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/7161259.stm |title=Peer involved in fatal M1 crash |work=BBC News |date=27 December 2007}}</ref> | ||
On 1 December 2008, Ahmed appeared at Sheffield ] on a charge of dangerous driving. Ahmed admitted sending and receiving five ]s on his phone while driving two minutes before the crash, and pleaded guilty. He was banned from driving until his sentencing. On 22 December, Sheffield Magistrates' Court referred the case for sentencing at ] on 19 January due to its "aggravating features".<ref name="Texting death crash peer in court">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/7794894.stm | |
On 1 December 2008, Ahmed appeared at Sheffield ] on a charge of dangerous driving. Ahmed admitted sending and receiving five ]s on his phone while driving two minutes before the crash, and pleaded guilty. He was banned from driving until his sentencing. On 22 December, Sheffield Magistrates' Court referred the case for sentencing at ] on 19 January due to its "aggravating features".<ref name="Texting death crash peer in court">{{cite news |date=2008-12-22 |title=Texting death crash peer in court |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/7794894.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120040326/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/7794894.stm |archive-date=2023-11-20 |access-date=2024-06-09 |work=]}}</ref> This was later put back until 25 February.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 January 2009 |title=Sentencing of Lord Ahmed put back |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Sentencing-of-Lord-Ahmed-put.4910215.jp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207134217/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sentencing-of-lord-ahmed-put.4910215.jp |archive-date=2009-02-07 |access-date=2024-06-09 |work=]}}</ref> Ahmed was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, which meant he would serve six weeks in jail, and he was disqualified from driving for 12 months.<ref name=timejewcon/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/3539830/Lord-Ahmed-admits-sending-text-message-while-driving-just-before-fatal-crash.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202084420/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/3539830/Lord-Ahmed-admits-sending-text-message-while-driving-just-before-fatal-crash.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 February 2009 |title=Lord Ahmed admits sending text message while driving just before fatal crash |work=The Telegraph |date=1 December 2008}}</ref> | ||
On 12 March 2009 Ahmed’s sentence was varied by the ]. ] said it was important to state that Ahmed's offence was one of ], not of ]. Hallett said that there was "little or nothing" Ahmed could have done to avoid the collision and that after being knocked unconscious, he had come to and "risked his life trying to flag down other vehicles to stop them colliding with the Audi or his car". She said that while his prison sentence had been justified, the court had been persuaded it could now take an "exceptional" course and ] for 12 months.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/mar/12/lord-ahmed-appeal |title=Labour peer freed by court of appeal in dangerous driving case |work=The Guardian |date=12 March 2009}}</ref> He was released (subject to the suspended sentence) 16 days into his original sentence.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.sky.com/story/677016/jailed-peer-ahmed-freed-early-from-prison |title=Jailed Peer Ahmed Freed Early From Prison |work=] |date=12 March 2009}}</ref> | On 12 March 2009 Ahmed’s sentence was varied by the ]. ] said it was important to state that Ahmed's offence was one of ], not of ]. Hallett said that there was "little or nothing" Ahmed could have done to avoid the collision and that after being knocked unconscious, he had come to and "risked his life trying to flag down other vehicles to stop them colliding with the Audi or his car". She said that while his prison sentence had been justified, the court had been persuaded it could now take an "exceptional" course and ] for 12 months.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/mar/12/lord-ahmed-appeal |title=Labour peer freed by court of appeal in dangerous driving case |work=The Guardian |date=12 March 2009}}</ref> He was released (subject to the suspended sentence) 16 days into his original sentence.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.sky.com/story/677016/jailed-peer-ahmed-freed-early-from-prison |title=Jailed Peer Ahmed Freed Early From Prison |work=] |date=12 March 2009}}</ref> | ||
Line 112: | Line 110: | ||
===Jewish conspiracy comments=== | ===Jewish conspiracy comments=== | ||
On 14 March 2013, '']'' newspaper in London revealed that Ahmed had blamed a ] for his driving conviction. In an interview given in ], broadcast on a Pakistani television channel in April 2012, the peer claimed that he was jailed because of pressure on the courts by Jewish owned media: "My case became more critical because I went to Gaza to support Palestinians. My Jewish friends who own newspapers and TV channels opposed this." He also alluded to further Jewish involvement regarding the judge, claiming that Mr ] was specifically selected to judge his case having previously been appointed to the high court after helping a "Jewish colleague" of former Labour prime minister Tony Blair during an important case. |
On 14 March 2013, '']'' newspaper in London revealed that Ahmed had blamed a ] for his driving conviction. In an interview given in ], broadcast on a Pakistani television channel in April 2012, the peer claimed that he was jailed because of pressure on the courts by Jewish owned media: "My case became more critical because I went to Gaza to support Palestinians. My Jewish friends who own newspapers and TV channels opposed this." He also alluded to further Jewish involvement regarding the judge, claiming that Mr ] was specifically selected to judge his case having previously been appointed to the high court after helping a "Jewish colleague" of former Labour prime minister Tony Blair during an important case. ''The Times'' pointed out that both of these claims about the judge were factually false.<ref name=timejewcon>{{cite news |url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article3713009.ece|url-access=subscription |title=Muslim peer Lord Ahmed blames Jewish conspiracy for jailing him |date=14 March 2013 |work=The Times}}</ref><ref name=bbcsus>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21783467 |title=Labour peer Lord Ahmed suspended after 'Jewish claims' |date=14 March 2013 |work=BBC News}}</ref> | ||
Reactions were negative. Katie Wheatley, a criminal law expert, said that if Ahmed had made such claims in Britain he could have faced prosecution for a hate crime.<ref name=timejewcon /> |
Reactions were negative. Katie Wheatley, a criminal law expert, said that if Ahmed had made such claims in Britain he could have faced prosecution for a hate crime.<ref name=timejewcon /> The Labour party immediately suspended him, saying it "deplores and does not tolerate any sort of racism or anti-Semitism." Jewish organisations condemned the comments, with the Board of Deputies of British Jews saying, "We are appalled by Lord Ahmed's alleged comments which recall the worst Jewish conspiracy theories."<ref name=bbcsus /> In contrast, the chairman of the UK-based Kashmir Watch International was reported by '']'', an English-language Pakistani paper, as saying, "Lord Ahmed has, in fact, been made the target of a deep-rooted vendetta by the rivals – mostly the Jews lobby for his "crime" of exposing the increased anti-Muslim approach and policies of the Jews including their backed British media."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/26-Mar-2013/kwi-flays-suspension-of-lord-nazir-membership |title=KWI flays suspension of Lord Nazir membership |date=26 March 2013 |work=] |access-date=28 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326112044/http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/national/26-Mar-2013/kwi-flays-suspension-of-lord-nazir-membership |archive-date=26 March 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Ahmed's initial response was that he had no recollection of making the comments and that he would have to examine the transcripts with his solicitors.<ref name=timejewcon /> On 18 March he resigned from the Joseph Interfaith Foundation as a result of the allegations.<ref name=jif /> At about the same time, he ceased to be a member of the International Expert Team of the Institute Research of Genocide, Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-interests/register-of-lords-interests/lords-interests-amendments/ |title=Lords' Interests amendments |at=Lord Ahmed, Category 10 |work=Parliament of the United Kingdom |date=26 July 2014 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726104904/http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-interests/register-of-lords-interests/lords-interests-amendments/ |archive-date=26 July 2014 |
Ahmed's initial response was that he had no recollection of making the comments and that he would have to examine the transcripts with his solicitors.<ref name=timejewcon /> On 18 March he resigned from the Joseph Interfaith Foundation as a result of the allegations.<ref name=jif /> At about the same time, he ceased to be a member of the International Expert Team of the Institute Research of Genocide, Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-interests/register-of-lords-interests/lords-interests-amendments/ |title=Lords' Interests amendments |at=Lord Ahmed, Category 10 |work=Parliament of the United Kingdom |date=26 July 2014 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726104904/http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-interests/register-of-lords-interests/lords-interests-amendments/ |archive-date=26 July 2014}}</ref> | ||
Among the pieces written in the immediate aftermath of the revelation was one by ] in '']'' which claimed that antisemitism within some otherwise well-integrated sections of the British Muslim community was commonplace.<ref name=hufvir>{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/mehdi-hasan/anti-semitism-british-muslim-community_b_2922013.html |title=The Sorry Truth Is That the Virus of Anti-Semitism Has Infected the British Muslim Community |date=21 March 2013 |work=]}}</ref> |
Among the pieces written in the immediate aftermath of the revelation was one by ] in '']'' which claimed that antisemitism within some otherwise well-integrated sections of the British Muslim community was commonplace.<ref name=hufvir>{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/mehdi-hasan/anti-semitism-british-muslim-community_b_2922013.html |title=The Sorry Truth Is That the Virus of Anti-Semitism Has Infected the British Muslim Community |date=21 March 2013 |work=]}}</ref> In the 28 March interview with Ahmed resulting from this article, Ahmed apologised, describing his comments as "completely unacceptable" and the product of a "twisted mind". He could not explain why he had made the comments.<ref name=hufapol>{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/03/26/lord-ahmed-interview_n_2954621.html?1364468003 |title=The Lord Ahmed Interview: Peer 'Completely And Unreservedly' Apologises To Jewish Community |date=28 March 2013 |work=The Huffington Post}}</ref> | ||
His appearance before Labour's ] to determine whether his suspension should be lifted or whether he should be expelled was due to take place on 15 May.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/10392253.Lord_Ahmed_claims_he_won_t_get_fair_hearing/ |title=Lord Ahmed claims he won't get fair hearing |date=1 May 2013 |work=Asian Image}}</ref> |
His appearance before Labour's ] to determine whether his suspension should be lifted or whether he should be expelled was due to take place on 15 May.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/10392253.Lord_Ahmed_claims_he_won_t_get_fair_hearing/ |title=Lord Ahmed claims he won't get fair hearing |date=1 May 2013 |work=Asian Image}}</ref> On 9 May, it was reported that he was considering preempting the hearing by leaving the Labour Party<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/107318/lord-ahmed-backtracks-comments-jewish-conspiracy |title=Lord Ahmed backtracks on comments of Jewish conspiracy |work=] |date=9 May 2013}}</ref> and on 13 May he resigned from the party.<ref name=bbcres /> | ||
===Allegations of sexual impropriety=== | ===Allegations of sexual impropriety=== | ||
Line 126: | Line 124: | ||
==Convictions of attempted rape and sexual assault== | ==Convictions of attempted rape and sexual assault== | ||
On 1 March 2019, Ahmed was charged with two offences of attempted rape and one offence of indecent assault between 1971 and 1974. The alleged victims were at the time a boy and a girl, both under the age of 13. The incidents reportedly took place between 1971 and 1974 while Ahmed was a teenager aged between 14 and 17 living in ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/controversial-peer-lord-ahmed-charged-with-child-sex-offences-2gfdmkclj|title=Controversial peer Lord Ahmed charged with child sex offences|first2=Anasudhin|last2=Azeez| |
On 1 March 2019, Ahmed was charged with two offences of attempted rape and one offence of indecent assault between 1971 and 1974. The alleged victims were at the time a boy and a girl, both under the age of 13. The incidents reportedly took place between 1971 and 1974 while Ahmed was a teenager aged between 14 and 17 living in ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/controversial-peer-lord-ahmed-charged-with-child-sex-offences-2gfdmkclj|title=Controversial peer Lord Ahmed charged with child sex offences|first2=Anasudhin|last2=Azeez|first1=Andrew |last1=Norfolk|date=1 March 2019|work=The Times|access-date=1 March 2019|issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref name=AhmedSexScandal1 /> | ||
He appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court with co-accused two brothers also facing charges on 19 March 2019; they were all granted bail to appear at Sheffield Crown Court on 16 April.<ref name=AhmedSexScandal1>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/mar/19/lord-ahmed-appears-in-court-charged-with-child-sexual-offences |title=Lord Ahmed appears in court charged with child sexual offences |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Rajeev |last=Syal |date= 19 March 2019}}</ref> On that date, his trial was fixed for 2 December 2019 and he was released on bail.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-47969220|title=Lord Ahmed of Rotherham to face trial on child sex charges|date=17 April 2019|access-date=24 October 2020|work=BBC News}}</ref> His elder brother, Mohammed Farouq, was charged with four counts of indecent assault against a boy under the age of eight.<ref name=AhmedSexScandal1/> Another elder brother, Mohammed Tariq, was charged with two counts of indecent assault against a boy under 11. Ahmed stood trial in February 2021 after his initial trial dates in 2020 were delayed due to the ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Lord Ahmed child abuse trial delayed until January|url=https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/view,lord-ahmed-child-abuse-trial-delayed-until-january_36070.htm|access-date=3 March 2021|website=www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Trial of Rotherham peer Lord Nazir Ahmed delayed until July|url=https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/view,trial-of-rotherham-peer-lord-nazir-ahmed-delayed-until-july_34722.htm|access-date=3 March 2021|website=www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk}}</ref> He denied the allegations. His brothers were judged unfit to stand trial by the judge and instead faced a trial of the facts. On 22 February, the jury in the trial were discharged for legal reasons.<ref>{{cite news|date=22 February 2021|title=Nazir Ahmed: Jury discharged in former peer's child abuse trial|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-56157185|access-date=3 March 2021}}</ref> |
He appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court with co-accused two brothers also facing charges on 19 March 2019; they were all granted bail to appear at Sheffield Crown Court on 16 April.<ref name=AhmedSexScandal1>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/mar/19/lord-ahmed-appears-in-court-charged-with-child-sexual-offences |title=Lord Ahmed appears in court charged with child sexual offences |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Rajeev |last=Syal |date= 19 March 2019}}</ref> On that date, his trial was fixed for 2 December 2019 and he was released on bail.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-47969220|title=Lord Ahmed of Rotherham to face trial on child sex charges|date=17 April 2019|access-date=24 October 2020|work=BBC News}}</ref> His elder brother, Mohammed Farouq, was charged with four counts of indecent assault against a boy under the age of eight.<ref name=AhmedSexScandal1/> Another elder brother, Mohammed Tariq, was charged with two counts of indecent assault against a boy under 11. Ahmed stood trial in February 2021 after his initial trial dates in 2020 were delayed due to the ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Lord Ahmed child abuse trial delayed until January|url=https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/view,lord-ahmed-child-abuse-trial-delayed-until-january_36070.htm|access-date=3 March 2021|website=www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Trial of Rotherham peer Lord Nazir Ahmed delayed until July|url=https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/view,trial-of-rotherham-peer-lord-nazir-ahmed-delayed-until-july_34722.htm|access-date=3 March 2021|website=www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk}}</ref> He denied the allegations. His brothers were judged unfit to stand trial by the judge and instead faced a trial of the facts. On 22 February, the jury in the trial were discharged for legal reasons.<ref>{{cite news|date=22 February 2021|title=Nazir Ahmed: Jury discharged in former peer's child abuse trial|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-56157185|access-date=3 March 2021}}</ref> Ahmed stood trial again in November 2021 when he continued to deny the allegations against him.<ref>{{cite news|date=19 November 2021|title=Lord Ahmed: Former peer denies trying to rape girl|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-59347409|access-date=2 January 2022}}</ref> On 5 January 2022 he was found guilty of attempted rape of a girl and of a serious sexual assault upon a boy.<ref name=BBC050122/> On 4 February 2022, Mr Justice Lavender sentenced Ahmed to five years and six months in prison.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lord Ahmed: Ex-Labour peer jailed for child sex offences |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-60260113 |access-date=4 February 2022 |work=BBC News |date=4 February 2022}}</ref> | ||
An appeal against the sentence was lodged and in March 2023 the ] ruled that the three |
An appeal against the sentence was lodged and in March 2023 the ] ruled that the three-and-a-half-year sentence imposed for the charge of ] was excessive as he was still a child himself when the offence was committed and that the trial judge should have taken this into account when sentencing Ahmed. The sentences of two years for the attempted rapes offences were unchanged, resulting in the total sentence being reduced from five and a half years to two and a half years.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vinter |first1=Robyn |title=Peer Nazir Ahmed's jail term for 1970s sexual assault cut by three years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2023/mar/17/peer-nazir-ahmeds-jail-term-for-1970s-sexual-assault-cut-by-three-years |access-date=17 March 2023 |work=] |date=17 March 2023}}</ref> | ||
An appeal against the conviction was heard in July 2023 and was dismissed by the Court of Appeal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lord Ahmed: Disgraced peer fails in bid to overturn conviction |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-66167468 |work=BBC News |date=11 July 2023}}</ref> | An appeal against the conviction was heard in July 2023 and was dismissed by the Court of Appeal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lord Ahmed: Disgraced peer fails in bid to overturn conviction |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-66167468 |work=BBC News |date=11 July 2023}}</ref> | ||
Ahmed's male victim, and the Muslim Women's Network UK, called for him to lose his title over his conviction.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Yasminara |last2=Snelling |first2=Sophie |title=Lord Ahmed: Victim calls for peer to lose title |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-60246242 |access-date=4 February 2022 |website=BBC News |date=3 February 2022}}</ref> Under the ] rules, a member convicted of a serious criminal offence resulting in a jail sentence of at least one year can be expelled from the House;<ref>{{cite legislation UK | type = act| year = 2014| chapter = 24| act = House of Lords Reform Act 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK | type = act| year = 2015| chapter = 14| act = House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Act 2015}}</ref> though an expelled peer still retains their title, which can only be removed by an act of parliament.<ref>{{cite web|title=Peerages: can they be removed?|url=https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/peerages-can-they-be-removed/|access-date=1 September 2022|website=lordslibrary.parliament.uk}}</ref> | Ahmed's male victim, and the Muslim Women's Network UK, called for him to lose his title over his conviction.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Yasminara |last2=Snelling |first2=Sophie |title=Lord Ahmed: Victim calls for peer to lose title |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-60246242 |access-date=4 February 2022 |website=BBC News |date=3 February 2022}}</ref> Under the ] rules, a member convicted of a serious criminal offence resulting in a jail sentence of at least one year can be expelled from the House;<ref>{{cite legislation UK | type = act| year = 2014| chapter = 24| act = House of Lords Reform Act 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK | type = act| year = 2015| chapter = 14| act = House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Act 2015}}</ref> though an expelled peer still retains their title, which can only be removed by an act of parliament.<ref>{{cite web|title=Peerages: can they be removed?|url=https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/peerages-can-they-be-removed/|access-date=1 September 2022|website=lordslibrary.parliament.uk|date=10 February 2022 |last1=Brader |first1=Claire }}</ref> | ||
==Departure from House of Lords== | ==Departure from House of Lords== | ||
Line 141: | Line 139: | ||
After seeing the report, and before any action was taken, Lord Ahmed resigned from the House of Lords.<ref name=daysbefore/> He continues to hold the title of a life peer.<ref name=stillpeer/><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pak-origin-lord-retires-from-uk-house-faced-expulsion/story-HbEFhYr4DA7lJ9yxl2OiyH_amp.html |title=Pak-origin Nazir Ahmed faced expulsion from UK House of Lords for alleged sexual assault, quits |website=Hindustan Times|date= 17 November 2020}}</ref> | After seeing the report, and before any action was taken, Lord Ahmed resigned from the House of Lords.<ref name=daysbefore/> He continues to hold the title of a life peer.<ref name=stillpeer/><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pak-origin-lord-retires-from-uk-house-faced-expulsion/story-HbEFhYr4DA7lJ9yxl2OiyH_amp.html |title=Pak-origin Nazir Ahmed faced expulsion from UK House of Lords for alleged sexual assault, quits |website=Hindustan Times|date= 17 November 2020}}</ref> | ||
In 2024, while imprisoned, Ahmed appealled to the ], seeking to have the Parliamentary report overturned on the basis that the Lords investigation had breached his right to privacy and had "devastating consequences for his private and family life." The court rejected Ahmed's appeal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/09/19/privacy-rights-breach-claim-tory-brexiteer-thrown-out-echr/|title=Privacy rights breach claim by Tory Brexiteer thrown out by European court|first=James|last=Crisp|date=19 September 2024|accessdate=20 September 2024|website=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> | |||
==Family life== | ==Family life== | ||
Ahmed married Sakina Bibi in 1974. They have a daughter and two sons.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://issuu.com/appliedsolutions/docs/debretts/12 |title=Debrett's People of Today 2012 | |
Ahmed married Sakina Bibi in 1974. They have a daughter and two sons.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://issuu.com/appliedsolutions/docs/debretts/12 |title=Debrett's People of Today 2012 |publisher=Debrett's |date=2011 |page=12}}</ref> As of 2008, he lived in ].<ref name="Texting death crash peer in court"/> | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Line 153: | Line 153: | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{wikiquote}} | {{wikiquote}} | ||
* {{UK Peer links | parliament = lords/lord-ahmed/3470 | hansard = mr-nazir-ahmed | hansardcurr = 3602 | guardian = | publicwhip = Lord_Ahmed | theywork = lord_ahmed | record = Nazir-Ahmed/1446 | bbc = 26849.stm | journalisted = |
* {{UK Peer links | parliament = lords/lord-ahmed/3470 | hansard = mr-nazir-ahmed | hansardcurr = 3602 | guardian = | publicwhip = Lord_Ahmed | theywork = lord_ahmed | record = Nazir-Ahmed/1446 | bbc = 26849.stm | journalisted =}} | ||
* | * | ||
* | * | ||
Line 179: | Line 179: | ||
] | ] | ||
] | ] | ||
] | |||
] | ] | ||
] | ] |
Latest revision as of 18:36, 8 January 2025
British politician (born 1957) "Lord Ahmed" redirects here. Not to be confused with Tariq Ahmad, Baron Ahmad of Wimbledon.
The Lord Ahmed | |
---|---|
Official portrait, 2018 | |
Member of the House of Lords | |
Lord Temporal | |
Life peerage 13 October 1998 – 14 November 2020 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Nazir Ahmed (1957-04-24) 24 April 1957 (age 67) Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan |
Nationality | British |
Political party | Non-affiliated (2013–2020) |
Other political affiliations | Labour (until 2013) |
Spouse | Sakina Bibi |
Children | 3 |
Residence | Rotherham |
Alma mater | Sheffield Polytechnic |
Occupation | Property development and management |
Criminal information | |
Criminal status | Released from prison 5 May 2023 |
Conviction(s) | |
Criminal charge | |
Penalty | 5 years and 6 months imprisonment reduced to 2 years and 6 months on appeal |
Nazir Ahmed, Baron Ahmed (Urdu: نذیر احمد , born 24 April 1957) is a former Labour politician and convicted sex offender. He was appointed a life peer in 1998 by the Labour Government.
Many of his political activities related to the Muslim community both in the UK and abroad. In 2013, he alleged that he was the victim of a Jewish conspiracy for receiving a prison sentence as a result of a 2007 traffic incident in which he was convicted in relation to the death of another driver. Ahmed claimed that "My case became more critical because I went to Gaza to support Palestinians. My Jewish friends who own newspapers and TV channels opposed this." As a result, alongside his custodial sentence he was suspended from, and later resigned from, the Labour Party, who said that it "deplores and does not tolerate any sort of racism or anti-Semitism."
He faced expulsion from the House of Lords in 2020 on account of sexually exploiting a woman who had approached him in 2017 in his capacity as a member of the House, and resigned from the House after a recommendation of its Conduct Committee that he be expelled, but before it was implemented. However, he continues to be a life peer, although not a member of the House. On 5 January 2022 he was found guilty of historical sex offences, committed when he was a teenager, being the attempted rape of a child under 13 years of age and sexual assault of another. He was sentenced to five years and six months in prison, reduced on appeal to two years and six months.
Early life
Ahmed was born in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan on 24 April 1957 to Haji Sain Mohammed and Rashim Bibi. His parents migrated the family to the United Kingdom when he was 2 and he has lived in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, since 1959. He attended Spurley Hey Comprehensive School, then Thomas Rotherham Sixth Form College. He studied for a degree in public administration at Sheffield Polytechnic and joined the Labour Party when he was 18 years old.
Politics
In 1990 Ahmed began his political career as a local Labour Party councillor, becoming the chair of the South Yorkshire Labour Party in 1993 and holding both positions until 2000. He founded the British Muslim Councillors' Forum and was a magistrate between 1992 and 2000. He was the first Asian councillor in Rotherham and the town's youngest magistrate. He enjoyed backing from the Pakistan government, and was known for lobbying in the British Parliament on the Kashmir issue on Pakistan's behalf. This advocacy included holding anti-India protests outside the Indian Embassy in London. He claims to have changed the policies of the Labour Party to the extent that, for the first time in British history, Kashmir was discussed on the floor of the conference. He is associated with the Justice Foundation, which organised that conference and whose director at that time was Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai – a Pakistani Kashmir lobbyist arrested by the USA for spying and illegal lobbying, and according to US prosecutors the Justice Foundation's Kashmir Centres in UK, USA and Saudi Arabia are run on behalf of the Pakistani government and its military intelligence Inter-Services Intelligence Agency.
Ahmed was created a life peer, Baron Ahmed, of Rotherham in the County of South Yorkshire, on 3 August 1998. Although there have been many claims that he was the first Muslim life peer, including by Ahmed himself, or the first male Muslim peer, he was in fact the third Muslim life peer; the other two, Baroness Uddin and Lord Alli, were raised to the Peerage on 18 July whereas Lord Ahmed was so raised on 3 August. There have been earlier Muslim hereditary peers, the first being the 3rd Baron Stanley of Alderley in 1869.
He led the first delegation on behalf of the British Government on the Muslim pilgrimage of the Hajj. At home, he spoke on wider equality issues, and spoke several times on issues of race, religion and gender; he advocated legislation against religious discrimination and forced marriage.
He tried to calm tensions following the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in 2001. However, on 23 February 2005, he hosted a book launch in the House of Lords for the controversial Swedish writer Israel Shamir, during which the latter claimed, among other things: "The Jews like an Empire.... This love of Empire explains the easiness Jews change their allegiance.... Simple minds call it 'treacherous behaviour', but it is actually love of Empire per se." Shamir also claimed, "Jews... own, control and edit a big share of mass media", a statement that was to be echoed by Lord Ahmed in 2012. Although this invitation raised some controversy, Ahmed firmly refused to discuss the matter.
In August 2006 he was a signatory to an open letter to prime minister Tony Blair criticising the UK's foreign policy.
On 19 June 2007 Ahmed criticised the honouring of Salman Rushdie with a knighthood because of what he saw as Rushdie's offensiveness to Islam. He was reported to have said, "It's hypocrisy by Tony Blair, who two weeks ago was talking about building bridges to mainstream Muslims, and then he's honouring a man who has insulted the British public and been divisive in community relations." "This man not only provoked violence around the world because of his writings, but there were many people who were killed around the world. Forgiving and forgetting is one thing, but honouring the man who has blood on his hands, sort of, because of what he did, I think is going a bit too far." He also said on BBC Radio 4's PM programme that he had been appalled by the award to a man he accused of having 'blood on his hands'.
In September 2007, Ahmed flew to Islamabad with Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, in a bid to end Sharif's exile from the country by military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who had ousted him in a coup d'état. He negotiated with police to allow Sharif to enter the airport terminal and pass through customs, but Sharif was arrested later, and deported.
After the reform of the House of Lords, Ahmed took over from Lord Sudeley to act as Host for the Forum for Stable Currencies.
In November 2007 Ahmed was involved in a diplomatic effort to secure the release of Gillian Gibbons from custody in Sudan. The teacher, Gillian Gibbons, allowed her class to name a teddy bear Muhammad. Ahmed, from Britain's ruling Labour Party, and Baroness Warsi, an opposition Conservative, visited Khartoum and had a meeting with the President of Sudan. Miss Gibbons, who had been given a fifteen-day prison sentence, was released after eight days following a Presidential pardon and allowed to return to the UK.
In June 2008, the political editor of Newsnight, Michael Crick, reported that Ahmed had been rumoured to be preparing to defect to the Conservative Party, but that he had denied this.
On 13 May 2013, two days before he was scheduled to appear before the Labour National Executive Committee in relation to antisemitic remarks he allegedly made in an interview on television in Pakistan, Ahmed resigned from the Labour party, saying that he could not expect a fair hearing.
Activities
Ahmed has operated as a property developer concurrent with his political career. He was a supporter of Fauji Foundation and the affairs of the Pakistan Army throughout. Ahmed has exploited various charitable causes and has been on the board of several organisations, including a period as president of South Yorkshire Victim Support and as a trustee of the British Heart Foundation. He resigned from his position as a trustee of the Joseph Interfaith Foundation in March 2013 as a result of the allegations of antisemitism.
Controversies
In December 2001, Ahmed claimed that his phone had been tapped by the government because of his opposition to its intervention in Afghanistan. He claimed he had a heated conversation with Foreign Office minister Denis MacShane, during which MacShane claimed to have transcripts of Ahmed's private conversations. The government denied that Ahmed was under surveillance, and MacShane said that his remarks had been misinterpreted.
In 2002, Ahmed was accused by campaign group Baby Milk Action of changing his position on Nestlé's sale of baby milk in Pakistan at a time when he was negotiating a paid advisory role with the company: he subsequently became a consultant.
On 25 July 2005, Ahmed, while interviewing with Robert Siegel on National Public Radio, said that the suicide bombers of 7/7 had an "identity crisis" and that "unfortunately, our imams and mosques have not been able to communicate the true message of Islam in the language that these young people can understand." Christopher Orlet of The American Spectator did not agree with Ahmed's "identity crisis". He said, "That's not an identity crisis, Lord Ahmed, that's religious psychopathy. That's a bloodthirstiness that makes Dracula look like a teetotaler." Ahmed did acknowledge, "the community leaders and religious leaders, who have kept very close contacts with South Asia and the Middle East rather than keeping a good contact with the British society where we live."
On 30 November 2006, the New Statesman reported a claim by fellow Muslim and Labour parliamentarian Shahid Malik that Ahmed had campaigned against him during the Dewsbury election in 2005. He alleged that Ahmed instead backed Sayeeda Warsi, vice-chair of the Conservative Party, the daughter of a personal friend. According to the New Statesman's report, Warsi "welcomed Lord Ahmed's support". The New Statesman also printed Ahmed's denial, saying "I never told any constituent of Dewsbury to vote for the Tories".
On 3 February 2009, Melanie Phillips, a newspaper columnist, claimed that Ahmed had threatened to mobilise 10,000 Muslims to prevent anti-Islamist Dutch MP Geert Wilders from entering the House of Lords to speak at a screening of the film Fitna. Wilders had been invited by a peer to debate issues of social inclusion. This claim was later denied by Ahmed, but the House of Lords authorities had determined to provide adequate security, if necessary. In the event, the film Fitna was broadcast as planned, but Wilders was denied entry to the UK, thus leading many commentators to deplore the action by the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith as appeasement.
Imprisonment for dangerous driving
On 25 December 2007, Ahmed was involved in a crash on the M1 motorway near Rotherham in which Martin Gombar, 28, was killed. Gombar's car had been involved in a crash and he had left it in the outer lane. Apparently trying to return to his vehicle from the hard shoulder he was hit by Ahmed, who was driving his Jaguar X-Type. Ahmed's wife and mother, who were passengers in the car, also received minor injuries.
On 1 December 2008, Ahmed appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on a charge of dangerous driving. Ahmed admitted sending and receiving five text messages on his phone while driving two minutes before the crash, and pleaded guilty. He was banned from driving until his sentencing. On 22 December, Sheffield Magistrates' Court referred the case for sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court on 19 January due to its "aggravating features". This was later put back until 25 February. Ahmed was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, which meant he would serve six weeks in jail, and he was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
On 12 March 2009 Ahmed’s sentence was varied by the Court of Appeal. Lady Justice Hallett said it was important to state that Ahmed's offence was one of dangerous driving, not of causing death by dangerous driving. Hallett said that there was "little or nothing" Ahmed could have done to avoid the collision and that after being knocked unconscious, he had come to and "risked his life trying to flag down other vehicles to stop them colliding with the Audi or his car". She said that while his prison sentence had been justified, the court had been persuaded it could now take an "exceptional" course and suspend the sentence for 12 months. He was released (subject to the suspended sentence) 16 days into his original sentence.
In subsequent interviews, Ahmed incorrectly stated that he had no criminal record and that his sentence was overturned.
Bounty allegation
A Pakistani newspaper, The Express Tribune, erroneously alleged that Ahmed said "If the US can announce a reward of $10 million for the captor of Hafiz Saeed, I can announce a bounty of £10 million on President Obama and his predecessor George Bush", at a business meeting in Haripur, Pakistan, on 15 April 2012. On learning of these allegations, the Labour Party immediately suspended Ahmed pending a formal investigation. He later responded by stating "I'm shocked and horrified that this whole story could be just made up of lies...." Ahmed went on to say that he was not issuing a bounty but rather calls for the prosecution of George W. Bush and Tony Blair due to the "war crimes committed in Iraq and Afghanistan" in what he considers to be "illegal wars".
Video footage of the meeting, released on 18 April, showed that Ahmed had been misquoted and instead had said, "Even if I have to beg I am willing to raise and offer £10 million so that George W Bush and Tony Blair can be brought to the International Court of Justice on war crimes charges." The same day, The Express Tribune offered a "clarification" that it had "erroneously reported" Ahmed's statement and that their reporter had incorrectly cited the name of Obama. The article stated that the newspaper "deeply regretted" its mistake. His suspension was revoked on 25 June 2012.
Malala accusation
In November 2012 Ahmed claimed that the attempted assassination of Malala Yousafzai by the Pakistani Taliban (not the main Afghan Taliban), might have been carried out by unnamed official elements in Pakistan as part of an effort to discredit the Pakistani Taliban. He subsequently accepted that he gave the speech whilst having "no idea what happened" and that this was not the case.
Jewish conspiracy comments
On 14 March 2013, The Times newspaper in London revealed that Ahmed had blamed a Jewish conspiracy for his driving conviction. In an interview given in Urdu, broadcast on a Pakistani television channel in April 2012, the peer claimed that he was jailed because of pressure on the courts by Jewish owned media: "My case became more critical because I went to Gaza to support Palestinians. My Jewish friends who own newspapers and TV channels opposed this." He also alluded to further Jewish involvement regarding the judge, claiming that Mr Justice Wilkie was specifically selected to judge his case having previously been appointed to the high court after helping a "Jewish colleague" of former Labour prime minister Tony Blair during an important case. The Times pointed out that both of these claims about the judge were factually false.
Reactions were negative. Katie Wheatley, a criminal law expert, said that if Ahmed had made such claims in Britain he could have faced prosecution for a hate crime. The Labour party immediately suspended him, saying it "deplores and does not tolerate any sort of racism or anti-Semitism." Jewish organisations condemned the comments, with the Board of Deputies of British Jews saying, "We are appalled by Lord Ahmed's alleged comments which recall the worst Jewish conspiracy theories." In contrast, the chairman of the UK-based Kashmir Watch International was reported by The Nation, an English-language Pakistani paper, as saying, "Lord Ahmed has, in fact, been made the target of a deep-rooted vendetta by the rivals – mostly the Jews lobby for his "crime" of exposing the increased anti-Muslim approach and policies of the Jews including their backed British media."
Ahmed's initial response was that he had no recollection of making the comments and that he would have to examine the transcripts with his solicitors. On 18 March he resigned from the Joseph Interfaith Foundation as a result of the allegations. At about the same time, he ceased to be a member of the International Expert Team of the Institute Research of Genocide, Canada.
Among the pieces written in the immediate aftermath of the revelation was one by Mehdi Hasan in The Huffington Post which claimed that antisemitism within some otherwise well-integrated sections of the British Muslim community was commonplace. In the 28 March interview with Ahmed resulting from this article, Ahmed apologised, describing his comments as "completely unacceptable" and the product of a "twisted mind". He could not explain why he had made the comments.
His appearance before Labour's National Executive Committee to determine whether his suspension should be lifted or whether he should be expelled was due to take place on 15 May. On 9 May, it was reported that he was considering preempting the hearing by leaving the Labour Party and on 13 May he resigned from the party.
Allegations of sexual impropriety
In February 2019, Ahmed was accused of using his position in the House of Lords to have sex with vulnerable women. One of the women, Tahira Zaman, explained how the pair went on to have an intimate sexual relationship after she had approached Ahmed for help with a personal matter in February 2017. A second woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, also alleged that when she asked Ahmed for help he suggested she should spend the night at his London home which she refused as she interpreted this as a proposition for sex. Ahmed denied acting inappropriately. House of Lords Commissioner for Standards, Lucy Scott-Moncrieff, found Tahira Zaman's accusations credible and substantial, but no further action was then taken against Ahmed as his actions did not relate to his parliamentary duties.
Convictions of attempted rape and sexual assault
On 1 March 2019, Ahmed was charged with two offences of attempted rape and one offence of indecent assault between 1971 and 1974. The alleged victims were at the time a boy and a girl, both under the age of 13. The incidents reportedly took place between 1971 and 1974 while Ahmed was a teenager aged between 14 and 17 living in Rotherham.
He appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court with co-accused two brothers also facing charges on 19 March 2019; they were all granted bail to appear at Sheffield Crown Court on 16 April. On that date, his trial was fixed for 2 December 2019 and he was released on bail. His elder brother, Mohammed Farouq, was charged with four counts of indecent assault against a boy under the age of eight. Another elder brother, Mohammed Tariq, was charged with two counts of indecent assault against a boy under 11. Ahmed stood trial in February 2021 after his initial trial dates in 2020 were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He denied the allegations. His brothers were judged unfit to stand trial by the judge and instead faced a trial of the facts. On 22 February, the jury in the trial were discharged for legal reasons. Ahmed stood trial again in November 2021 when he continued to deny the allegations against him. On 5 January 2022 he was found guilty of attempted rape of a girl and of a serious sexual assault upon a boy. On 4 February 2022, Mr Justice Lavender sentenced Ahmed to five years and six months in prison.
An appeal against the sentence was lodged and in March 2023 the Court of Appeal ruled that the three-and-a-half-year sentence imposed for the charge of buggery was excessive as he was still a child himself when the offence was committed and that the trial judge should have taken this into account when sentencing Ahmed. The sentences of two years for the attempted rapes offences were unchanged, resulting in the total sentence being reduced from five and a half years to two and a half years.
An appeal against the conviction was heard in July 2023 and was dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
Ahmed's male victim, and the Muslim Women's Network UK, called for him to lose his title over his conviction. Under the House of Lords rules, a member convicted of a serious criminal offence resulting in a jail sentence of at least one year can be expelled from the House; though an expelled peer still retains their title, which can only be removed by an act of parliament.
Departure from House of Lords
The Conduct Committee of the House of Lords considered in 2020 a complaint from a member of the public who had approached Lord Ahmed in 2017 in his capacity as a member of the House. Her complaint was that he "initially made unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature with her and later held out the promise of using his influence to help her, when in fact his aim was to have sex with her". The Commissioner concluded that on the balance of probabilities Lord Ahmed's actions put him "in breach of the Code by failing to act on his personal honour". The Committee on 17 November 2020 published its report, recommending that "Lord Ahmed be expelled from the House under Standing Order 12". It was the first time that expulsion of a peer from the House of Lords had been recommended.
After seeing the report, and before any action was taken, Lord Ahmed resigned from the House of Lords. He continues to hold the title of a life peer.
In 2024, while imprisoned, Ahmed appealled to the European Court of Human Rights, seeking to have the Parliamentary report overturned on the basis that the Lords investigation had breached his right to privacy and had "devastating consequences for his private and family life." The court rejected Ahmed's appeal.
Family life
Ahmed married Sakina Bibi in 1974. They have a daughter and two sons. As of 2008, he lived in Rotherham.
Notes
- Although no longer a member of the House of Lords after his resignation, Ahmed has retained his title as a life peer.
References
- ^ "Rother Valley MP calls for Lord Ahmed to be stripped of peerage after guilty verdict". ITV News. 5 January 2022. Archived from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ "The Lord Ahmed's Biography". Debrett's.
- ^ "Lord Ahmed". Parliament of the United Kingdom.
- ^ "Lord Ahmed retires from Parliament days before expulsion". BBC News. 17 November 2020.
retired from Parliament after seeing a conduct report recommending he be expelled
- ^ "Lord Ahmed: Former peer guilty of trying to rape girl". BBC News. 5 January 2022. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage. Debrett's Peerage Limited. 2 March 2019. ISBN 9781870520737 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Profile: Lord Ahmed". BBC News. 25 February 2009.
- "Profile: Lord Ahmed". The Guardian. 25 February 2009.
- "Profile: Nazir Ahmed". The Times. London. 14 March 2013.
- "Clashes in London after Lord Nazir calls for Kashmir's independence". The Nation (Pakistan). 27 January 2018.
- "My detention at Islamabad airport was humiliating and embarrassing: Lord Ahmed Nazir". Business Standard. 28 December 2018.
- "Pak Backer In UK Parliament Allegedly Had Sex With Women Who Sought Help". NDTV. 14 February 2019.
- "Across the LoC and the Oceans: The Dark horses". freepresskashmir.com. 6 July 2019.
- "Across the LoC and the Oceans: First Movers – The Mirpuris". freepresskashmir.com. 2 July 2019.
- "'Pakistani spies' in the Houses of Parliament". The Daily Telegraph. London. 12 August 2011.
- "No. 55217". The London Gazette. 6 August 1998. p. 8583.
- "Lord Tarsem King of West Bromwich Tribute". UPF UK. 10 February 2013. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
- "House of Lords Minutes of Proceedings". Parliament of the United Kingdom. 21 July 1998.
- "House of Lords Minutes of Proceedings". Parliament of the United Kingdom. 13 October 1998.
- "About Us". British Hajj Delegation.
- "Race Relations (Religious Discrimination) Bill [H.L.]". Parliament of the United Kingdom. 7 June 2000.
- "Profile: Lord Nazir Ahmed". BBC News. 17 December 2001.
- "Antisemitism: the hatred that refuses to go away". The Guardian. London. 3 March 2011.
- "Lord Ahmed controversy: if a Labour politician said something rude about Muslims instead of Jews, they'd be drummed out immediately". The Telegraph. 14 March 2013. Archived from the original on 17 March 2013.
- "Minister criticises Muslim letter". BBC News. 12 August 2006.
- ^ "£80,000 reward to 'execute' Rushdie as knighthood row escalates". Evening Standard. 19 June 2007. Archived from the original on 21 June 2007. Retrieved 20 June 2007.
- "UK 'deeply concerned' over Rushdie comments". The Guardian. London. 19 June 2007.
- "Pakistan government intervenes in Rushdie row". The Telegraph. 19 June 2007. Archived from the original on 27 August 2007.
- "Ex-Premier Arrested Upon Return to Pakistan". The New York Times. 10 September 2007.
- "Lord Ahmed, Host of the Forum for Stable Currencies at the House of Lords". Sabine McNeil.
- "Sudan teddy teacher lands in UK after 'ordeal'". The Guardian. 4 December 2007.
- "'I will not defect,' says Labour peer". BBC News. 20 June 2008.
- ^ "Lord Ahmed resigns from Labour Party". BBC News. 13 May 2013.
- ^ "Official Statement from Lord Ahmed of Rotherham" (PDF). Joseph Interfaith Foundation. 17 March 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
- "Bugging claim denied by minister". BBC News. 17 December 2001.
- "Labour peer under fire for Nestlé link". The Guardian. 19 March 2002.
- Register of Lords' Interests: As on 16 July 2004. House of Lords: The Stationery Office. 16 July 2004. p. 2. ISBN 9780104849576.
- ^ "Muslim Lord: Restrict Hatemongers". NPR. 25 July 2005.
- "Dark Angels". The American Spectator. 28 July 2005. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- "Labour peer urged support for Tories in 2005 election". New Statesman. 30 November 2006.
- "The intimidation of the House of Lords". The Spectator. 3 February 2009. Archived from the original on 6 February 2009.
- "Silencing free speech". The Guardian. 13 February 2009.
- "Britain deports Dutch 'provocateur'". International Herald Tribune. 12 February 2009.
- "Peer involved in fatal M1 crash". BBC News. 27 December 2007.
- ^ "Texting death crash peer in court". BBC News. 22 December 2008. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- "Sentencing of Lord Ahmed put back". The Star. 26 January 2009. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ "Muslim peer Lord Ahmed blames Jewish conspiracy for jailing him". The Times. 14 March 2013.
- "Lord Ahmed admits sending text message while driving just before fatal crash". The Telegraph. 1 December 2008. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009.
- "Labour peer freed by court of appeal in dangerous driving case". The Guardian. 12 March 2009.
- "Jailed Peer Ahmed Freed Early From Prison". Sky News. 12 March 2009.
- InFocus, Lord Ahmed. Islam Channel. March 2009. Event occurs at 24:28. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021.
- "'Sterling' bounty offered for Obama, Bush". The Express Tribune. 15 April 2012.
- "British Peer Lord Ahmed suspended after 'offering £10m bounty on Barack Obama and George Bush'". The Telegraph. 16 April 2012.
- "Suspended Labour peer Lord Ahmed 'horrified' by bounty claim". BBC News. 16 April 2012.
- "Footage sheds light on bounty allegation". The Telegraph. 18 April 2012. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012.
- "Clarification: Lord Nazir Ahmed's statement in Haripur". Express Tribune. 18 April 2012.
- "Labour lifts Lord Ahmed's suspension". BBC News. 30 June 2012.
- "Schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai could be victim of government plot, Labour peer claimed". The Telegraph. 1 November 2012. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012.
- ^ "Labour peer Lord Ahmed suspended after 'Jewish claims'". BBC News. 14 March 2013.
- "KWI flays suspension of Lord Nazir membership". The Nation (Pakistan). 26 March 2013. Archived from the original on 26 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
- "Lords' Interests amendments". Parliament of the United Kingdom. 26 July 2014. Lord Ahmed, Category 10. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014.
- "The Sorry Truth Is That the Virus of Anti-Semitism Has Infected the British Muslim Community". The Huffington Post. 21 March 2013.
- "The Lord Ahmed Interview: Peer 'Completely And Unreservedly' Apologises To Jewish Community". The Huffington Post. 28 March 2013.
- "Lord Ahmed claims he won't get fair hearing". Asian Image. 1 May 2013.
- "Lord Ahmed backtracks on comments of Jewish conspiracy". The Jewish Chronicle. 9 May 2013.
- Watson, Richard (14 February 2019). "Lord Ahmed 'took advantage' of vulnerable women". BBC Newsnight.
- Norfolk, Andrew; Azeez, Anasudhin (1 March 2019). "Controversial peer Lord Ahmed charged with child sex offences". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ Syal, Rajeev (19 March 2019). "Lord Ahmed appears in court charged with child sexual offences". The Guardian.
- "Lord Ahmed of Rotherham to face trial on child sex charges". BBC News. 17 April 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
- "Lord Ahmed child abuse trial delayed until January". www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- "Trial of Rotherham peer Lord Nazir Ahmed delayed until July". www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- "Nazir Ahmed: Jury discharged in former peer's child abuse trial". BBC News. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- "Lord Ahmed: Former peer denies trying to rape girl". BBC News. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- "Lord Ahmed: Ex-Labour peer jailed for child sex offences". BBC News. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
- Vinter, Robyn (17 March 2023). "Peer Nazir Ahmed's jail term for 1970s sexual assault cut by three years". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- "Lord Ahmed: Disgraced peer fails in bid to overturn conviction". BBC News. 11 July 2023.
- Khan, Yasminara; Snelling, Sophie (3 February 2022). "Lord Ahmed: Victim calls for peer to lose title". BBC News. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
- "House of Lords Reform Act 2014", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 2014 c. 24
- "House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Act 2015", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 2015 c. 14
- Brader, Claire (10 February 2022). "Peerages: can they be removed?". lordslibrary.parliament.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- The conduct of Lord Ahmed. Conduct Committee. parliament.uk (Report). London: House of Lords. 17 November 2020. HL Paper 170.
- "UK committee publishes scathing report on Lord Nazir". Dawn Newspaper. 18 November 2020.
- "Pak-origin Nazir Ahmed faced expulsion from UK House of Lords for alleged sexual assault, quits". Hindustan Times. 17 November 2020.
- Crisp, James (19 September 2024). "Privacy rights breach claim by Tory Brexiteer thrown out by European court". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- Debrett's People of Today 2012. Debrett's. 2011. p. 12.
External links
- Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
- Contributions in Parliament at Hansard
- Contributions in Parliament at Hansard 1803–2005
- Voting record at PublicWhip.org
- Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou.com
- Announcement of his introduction at the House of Lords
- Interview
Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded byThe Lord Norton of Louth | Gentlemen Baron Ahmed |
Followed byThe Lord Bragg |
- 1957 births
- Living people
- British people of Mirpuri descent
- People from Azad Kashmir
- Councillors in South Yorkshire
- Labour Party (UK) life peers
- British politicians convicted of crimes
- British Muslims
- Pakistani emigrants to the United Kingdom
- Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom
- People from Mirpur, Azad Kashmir
- People educated at Thomas Rotherham College
- Labour Party (UK) councillors
- Alumni of Sheffield Hallam University
- 20th-century British criminals
- 21st-century British criminals
- Prisoners and detainees of England and Wales
- British prisoners and detainees
- British people convicted of child sexual abuse
- British people convicted of sexual assault
- Life peers created by Elizabeth II
- Politicians convicted of sex offences
- Peers retired under the House of Lords Reform Act 2014