A left-wing Labour candidate dumped by the party just days ago says she has faced “a systematic campaign of racism, Islamophobia and bullying from some within the party”.
Faiza Shaheen, who took on former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan-Smith at the last election in Chingford and Woodford Green, said she had met with her campaign and legal teams to discuss her “next steps”.
The Labour Party has not responded to the allegations but on Thursday evening announced Brent councillor Shama Tatler would be the candidate in the next election.
Congratulations @ShamaTatler, our parliamentary candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green 🌹 pic.twitter.com/OrUUE35Z29
— London Labour (@LondonLabour) May 30, 2024
Ms Shaheen said: “This is not the end of my story and I will be releasing all the detail of what happened to me publicly”.
In a statement online, she said: “I am heartbroken at this decision but it does not come as a surprise. It is the end of a systemic campaign of racism, Islamophobia and bullying from some within the party which began when I first announced I wanted to run for Labour again.”
It was reported that Ms Shaheen’s suspension came after she allegedly liked a series of posts on X that downplayed antisemitism accusations.
Ms Shaheen told BBC Newsnight she “thought” she was going to be the candidate for the constituency, but got an email on Wednesday evening she said claimed she would “frustrate Labour’s purpose”.
The programme heard she was called to a meeting with a panel of Labour’s National Executive Committee on Tuesday in which they highlighted posts which raised questions about her suitability as a candidate.
Some of her supporters have begun a campaign calling on voters to email Sir Keir Starmer and party General Secretary David Evans asking them to “reverse this decision”.
