The Enfield Council's Councillor Conduct Committee convened on Tuesday, 12 August 2025, to address a complaint against Councillor Mohammad Islam regarding alleged breaches of the Member Code of Conduct. The committee reviewed the findings of an investigation and considered potential sanctions.

Complaint against Councillor Mohammad Islam

The committee convened to discuss a complaint against Councillor Mohammad Islam, focusing on alleged breaches of the Member Code of Conduct. The complaint, lodged by Councillor Ergin Erbil, Leader of the Council, concerned Cllr Islam's conduct during his tenure as Deputy Mayor (from 10 May 2023 to 15 May 2024) and subsequently as Mayor (from 15 May 2024 to 14 May 2025). The allegation centred around Cllr Islam potentially misusing his office to support visa applications for friends and family, purportedly against officer advice and for reasons unconnected to the borough.

An external investigation, initiated after the Home Office contacted the council on 1 May 2024, was conducted by ch&I associates. The investigation concluded that Cllr Islam had breached paragraphs 7.1(v), 7.1(ix), and 7.2 of the Councillor Code of Conduct. These paragraphs stipulate that councillors should not use their position to gain an advantage for themselves or others, should not act in a way that could discredit their office, and must adhere to the council's policies when using council resources.

Following the formal complaint from Cllr Erbil, the Monitoring Officer requested the Deputy Monitoring Officer to conduct a further investigation. The Deputy Monitoring Officer's report included the findings of the initial external investigation.

The committee was tasked with determining whether Cllr Islam had breached the Councillor Code of Conduct and, if so, deciding on appropriate sanctions. Potential sanctions available to the committee included recommending an apology, suggesting attendance at an awareness course (such as diversity training), reporting findings to the full council, recommending removal from relevant council meetings or cabinet positions, withdrawing council-provided facilities, excluding the member from council premises (excluding meeting rooms), and publishing findings in local media. The committee was advised that any sanction imposed should be reasonable and proportionate.

Gary Rogers, one of the council's Independent Persons, was consulted on the complaint.

The agenda stated that the public and press would be excluded where confidential or exempt information was disclosed, as defined under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972¹.