Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the Standards Sub-Committee meeting on 13 November 2025.

The meeting was scheduled to address a complaint against a councillor and determine whether to hold the hearing in public or private. The sub-committee was to consider findings from an investigation into the conduct of a councillor and decide whether a breach of the Members' Code of Conduct had occurred.

Here are the key items that were listed for discussion:

Councillor Conduct Complaint

The Standards Sub-Committee was scheduled to review a report regarding a complaint against Councillor Noor Jahan Begum, following an investigation under the Code of Conduct¹ initiated by a complaint from Councillor Tanweer Khan. The report provided to the sub-committee included the investigator's report and a schedule of evidence. Due to the nature of the information, some of the Investigator's Report and the Schedule of Evidence had been redacted. The sub-committee was scheduled to consider whether the report and schedule of evidence should be published, and whether the press and public should be excluded from all or part of the meeting.

The sub-committee was asked to decide whether Councillor Begum had breached the Members' Code of Conduct, and if so, what recommendations to make to the Governance and Assurance Committee.

The report outlined options for the sub-committee, including finding that Councillor Begum was not in breach of the code, was in breach of some but not all paragraphs, or was in breach of all stated paragraphs. If a breach was found, the sub-committee could recommend actions to the Governance and Assurance Committee, such as a motion of censure, publication of findings in the press, removal from committees, training, or removal from outside appointments.

The investigation report by Miranda Carruthers-Watt of Verephi Ltd, included as an appendix, detailed allegations made by Councillor Khan, including that Councillor Begum distributed a flyer produced by the Redbridge Palestine Solidarity Campaign² containing defamatory and factually inaccurate statements. Councillor Khan also alleged harassment due to protests about the Pension Fund Divestment outside Ilford Islamic Centre and the distribution of flyers.

The report also referenced two subsequent complaints, one from Ms T and one from Councillor Begum against Councillor Khan, with reports included in the appendix.

The investigation considered whether Councillor Begum was acting in her capacity as a councillor when distributing leaflets. The report also considered Councillor Begum's truthfulness and integrity, and whether her actions brought the council into disrepute.

The report also noted that Councillor Begum's solicitors submitted a detailed response, which presented a different version of events.

Hearing Procedure

The sub-committee was scheduled to follow the council's procedure for hearings, outlined in Appendix C of the report.