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Blackburn free lunch election probe

8:23pm Friday 18th April 2008

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Photograph of the Author By Tom Moseley »

A TOWN HALL investigation was sparked after complaints that an election candidate broke the law by offering potential voters a free lunch.

Suleman Khonat, who is standing for the Party in Shear Brow ward, Blackburn, was reported to Blackburn with Darwen council by Liberal Democrat group leader David Foster.

Coun Foster claimed two leaflets publicising "special meetings" for the Shear Brow ward broke election rules because they included the offer of food afterwards.

One leaflets referred to food being served and the other said: "lunch will be served thereafter."

Mr Khonat was summoned to Blackburn town hall yesterday to explain himself to the council's deputy returning officer, Linda Comstive.

Council bosses say he was given "guidance", but would not confirm if he had breached the rules.

Under national electoral rules activists are banned from serving anything more than light refreshments, such as tea and biscuits, at meetings.

The law was introduced in the 19th Century when candidates would ply people with food and drink to get their votes.

Last year East Lancashire peer Lord Greaves claimed "treating" was becoming more widespread, particularly in Asian areas, and warned campaigners that they could face jail if they breached the rules.

The council's chief executive and returning officer Graham Burgess would not confirm whether Mr Khonat, who is bidding to replace outgoing Labour councillor Hussain Akhtar, had breached the rules.

He said: "The matter has been reported to us. There has been a meeting between the deputy returning officer and the candidate, and guidance has been issued."

Blackburn MP Jack Straw was a guest speaker at one of the meetings, held at the Apostolic Church on Randal Street.

Coun Foster called for an apology from the Labour Party and said: "If they are providing refreshments at a public meeting at election time they are breaking the law."

Speaking after the meeting with the deputy returningofficer, Mr Khonat insisted that the invitation had only been open to Labour Party members and supporters.

Labour leader Kate Hollern, who sat in on the meeting, admitted the wording on the flyer "could have been better".

But she added: "It's something of nothing.

"They are saying we can't offer party workers a cup of tea and a snack."

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Your Say YourTelegraph

vohro, lancashire says...
12:01am Tue 10 Jun 08

Supporter - before you make such wild accusations quote: 'in reality the whole town is corrupt' do you have evidence to substantiate your claim?
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supporter, lancashire says...
9:19am Mon 9 Jun 08

This whole fiasco just goes to show one thing and one thing only and that is sheer ignorance. As a resident of blackburn in the shear brow ward I am always entertained come election time. The candidates can never string a sentence along, have not got a clue about policies (or lets face it procedure) and it is always about the popularity contest- you are voting for who you know not what they know! Does Solly really know labour policy and what they stand for? doubt it very much. Does Akubut know what the liberal party represents- again I very much doubt it, the word 'liberal' should give him a hint and does Mr Muntazir have a clue about his party and their policies? not a chance! This ward is full of old bigoted men, who have chauvinistic views, are on the dole/benefits, have no education and I can tell you for a fact have not a clue about who or what they are representing. I agree with others that the ward is corrupt but in reality the whole town is corrupt. Lets be honest with ourselves here we vohra's have never played fair and never will, the reason is greed and jealousy. If you do not agree with these politicans or their ethics then you have choice- just do not vote- after all when you were in India and in your villages you never did and look where you ended up?? In en-ger-laand!
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lib dems well wisher, Blackburn says...
6:43pm Fri 16 May 08

solllyy... u big fraud...not to worr lib dem supporters a investiagtion is underway... horrayyy
Report this post »

Kazi, Range says...
9:04am Mon 5 May 08

Well done soli for winning the ward. It was all a scandal you shouldv never deserved to win the ward as you are now past the sell buy date.
Report this post »

Akhtar hussain, Shear bank says...
11:19pm Mon 28 Apr 08

Aray solly bayta jush becoj i shtepped down you didnt invyt me, dish is not nice bayta
Report this post »

Gulsen, Blackburn says...
11:16pm Mon 28 Apr 08

Neefster said: now lib dems have forwarded mr akubat bt does he have the knowledge to pull funding and resources?

vote for him and find out! Simple haha
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Vaza, Preston says...
8:26pm Mon 28 Apr 08

come on lib Dem lets gain another seat.
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neefster, blackburn, shear brow says...
10:28am Mon 28 Apr 08

i seriously don't know who to vote for, i actually wont someone who is articulate in representing the ward. I have to admit shear brow has never been able to forward a candidate who can actully benefit the ward. regarless which party they represent.
At first I thought i did the right thing for voting for Mr wagat, since then I have never seen him do anything for the ward as a whole. Mr muntazir, I seriously dont know him, his never around or has made an effort. Mr Akhtar; always around but could not represent the ward as I would have liked him to.
Now the Lib dems have forwarded a Mr akubat, but does he have the knowledge to pull funding and resources.
Report this post »

Big amee, Blackburn says...
12:00am Mon 28 Apr 08

Standing for the shear brow ward yet he lives on buncer lane half the time
Report this post »

Shabani, Blackburn says...
11:52pm Sun 27 Apr 08

Im not in the labour party but i went!! Oh wel i aint complainin! Nd it was more than jus snacks! N e way his wife can cook!! Or should i say wives!! I'll let you decide mr khonat
Report this post »

sick of it, says...
2:05am Thu 24 Apr 08

Imram wrote:
Give the man a break!!!How do we Know what that Waghat did with the BENEFIT MONEY he cheated off US ? OR The Other one that cant be bothered to turn up for meetings.WHY IS HE STILL BEING PAID & COSTING US MONEY ?Lets look at the real picture.We are that used to people taking,We all get worried when someone is giving.
we are all being played for fools.They are all guilty.All three of them should step down.
Report this post »

kharbhari, Lancahire trimming says...
8:18pm Wed 23 Apr 08

Good job i sold my property in good time or once again it could have been involved in the lunch scandal.
Report this post »

Janice, Bank top says...
8:14pm Wed 23 Apr 08

We need to see new young faces in BLACKBURN so step down Mr Lunch.
Report this post »

SAM, CORPORATION says...
5:55pm Wed 23 Apr 08

STEP DOWN!
Report this post »

patrick, blackburn says...
10:04am Wed 23 Apr 08

next time can we have some toast with a generous topping of garlic sauce, but not too much mind,some people might get the wrong idea.
Report this post »

paul, ewood says...
6:42pm Tue 22 Apr 08

He needs to hand his resignation in just like Arif waghat who stepped down. give others a chance.
Report this post »

siraz, preston news road says...
6:37pm Tue 22 Apr 08

Do the decent thing and STEP DOWN.
Report this post »

farah, bburn says...
6:33pm Tue 22 Apr 08

Mr Khonat didnt use the money from his pocket to pay for his food. Like everbody know hes a womaniser so which unlucky Womans details has he got!!
Report this post »

farah, bburn says...
6:30pm Tue 22 Apr 08

Mr Khonat didnt use the money from his pocket to pay for his food. Like everbody know hes a womaniser so which unlucky Womans details has he got!!
Report this post »

Foster's flat brew, Blackburn says...
10:41am Tue 22 Apr 08

It speaks. Councillor Foster finally condems something!! It must be a breath of fresh air for someone who has been giving off stale farts and on the defensive. Well at least the likelihood is Mr Konat paid the meals from his own money, rather than your benefits cheat waghat, who paid his fines directly fro the allowances as a cou8ncillor he should not be entitled to. Stop being holier than thou Clr Foster, your numbers up. Everyone knows youre a hypocrit.
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Imram, Shearbrow says...
2:19am Tue 22 Apr 08

Give the man a break!!!How do we Know what that Waghat did with the BENEFIT MONEY he cheated off US ? OR The Other one that cant be bothered to turn up for meetings.WHY IS HE STILL BEING PAID & COSTING US MONEY ?Lets look at the real picture.We are that used to people taking,We all get worried when someone is giving.
Report this post »

Margaret, East park says...
7:42pm Mon 21 Apr 08

Ive always thought Mr khonat was a fair person and a good coucillor but after reading the newspaper i am digusted with his behaviour and i will not vote for him this election.
Report this post »

Town Hall, Bburn says...
7:35pm Mon 21 Apr 08

There should be a vote on lancashire Telegraph Wether Mr Khonat should step down before the election.
Report this post »

corrupt khonat, Altom St says...
7:30pm Mon 21 Apr 08

Why wernt any women invited in the Lunch Party. Maybe they would talk after the party and spread the word around how the polling cards were filled in.
Report this post »

Mum, London road says...
7:26pm Mon 21 Apr 08

what is this man upto.... is he looking to get married again. This way his isnt going to benefit in the election.
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Sumayya, Oswald st says...
7:20pm Mon 21 Apr 08

Latifa. wrote:
propa ganda!! Jack straws out there trying to remove veils from devoted women who will not wants to seek atention from womanisers i.e SULEMAN KHONAT. No wonder he is part of the strong hold who refuses to step down.
your right!!
he was canvassing on our street too, When i opened the door my father was at work at the time my mum asked who it was and made her way to the front door. i therfore went inside continuing with the programme i was watching. My mum was stood out there chatting to this man who she doesnt even reconise or seen before. He spoke to my mum for approx 30min until i told my mum the room was getting cold because of the strate passage. He went!
Report this post »

Latifa., Biknell says...
7:06pm Mon 21 Apr 08

propa ganda!! Jack straws out there trying to remove veils from devoted women who will not wants to seek atention from womanisers i.e SULEMAN KHONAT. No wonder he is part of the strong hold who refuses to step down.
Report this post »

House No ???, oswald street says...
6:56pm Mon 21 Apr 08

I got a invitation to attend even though i do not know Suleman khonat. Due to work commitments i could not attend the free lunch. Sorry folkes. Keep me updated if there are any more lunches.
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?, Town Hall says...
6:48pm Mon 21 Apr 08

Sad way to get peoples vote. Yes we understand winning a bread is hard. Offering food on the plate is out of order! As a blackburn citizen i find it hard to believe what this man had done. With the rest of the councillors this man should be stood infront of the magistrates.
Report this post »

Robert, BBurn says...
6:35pm Mon 21 Apr 08

Mr suleman will not be getting my vote because i didnt get lunch.
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Husefa, bburn says...
6:30pm Mon 21 Apr 08

You dont need to speak to be a councillor. He Represents the shearbrow ward and community is full of muslims so he would have any problems communicating with them. Anybody who doesnt understand please come and see me and i will explain in detail. Thankyou
Report this post »

asif, Shearbrow says...
6:24pm Mon 21 Apr 08

Looks like the tactic didnt work. Why cant you be a genuine person and win peoples hearts rather than feeding their stomachs. LOOSER
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husky, london road says...
6:21pm Mon 21 Apr 08

Good way to get people to vote for you.. Where were the free lunches throughout the year. You dont deserve to win.. You should step down just like Sajid Ibrahim and do the decent thing because youve been in the trust for many years. Typical khonat!! i was wondering why on earth his pockets were full that day it was like he was on the front like in iraq in combat.. but now when i look back yes he had packed lunches for those who cant speak english and get his vote. WELL DONE TO THE TELEGRAPH FOR PUBLISHING HIS PICTURE ATLEAST WE KNOW WHO HE IS AFTER ALL.
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Tom, SW1P says...
12:41am Mon 21 Apr 08

removals R me wrote:
can i come next time? i love these lamb somozas and a nice bowl of rogan josh. ill bring the lagar and you bring the curry and we can have a right old knees up.
More words of wisdom from the racist sex offender from Burnley.
Report this post »

Help the Aged, Secure home says...
1:19pm Sun 20 Apr 08

If this guy wants to dish out free food to curry favour with his voters leave him to it. The only people that will suffer are his constituents who have mindlessly voted him in anyway so it will be their own fault.
As for 'playing it clean' and 'honest voters' Mubsy -- are you having a laugh? These are a rare species in the sub continent areas of Blackburn
Report this post »

Mubsy, London Road says...
12:53am Sun 20 Apr 08

Clear justification of votes being bought by Khonat here. Why can't he just play it clean and let the honest voters decide the future.
Report this post »

London Road, says...
11:06pm Sat 19 Apr 08

it was given by supporters. Waghat and Foster are just playing stupid games, like their party. They are worried anyone will notice they are in the pocket of the Tories and The Racists
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soap opera, coronation st says...
7:18pm Sat 19 Apr 08

just a small point did the food come out of the labour party funds.or was it given by supporters
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removals R me, my front room says...
5:43pm Sat 19 Apr 08

can i come next time? i love these lamb somozas and a nice bowl of rogan josh. ill bring the lagar and you bring the curry and we can have a right old knees up.
Report this post »

Achtar, Whalley Range says...
3:06pm Sat 19 Apr 08

He is gud man I always vote him and i mak sure wife too and my boys
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Local Citizen, London Road says...
2:56pm Sat 19 Apr 08

So wot if Mr Khonat is providing food & snaks for people in the community is dat not wot a councilor is suppose to be doing helping his ward in anyway possible way he is being a prime example. Mr Frost needs to have a good look at Muntazir Patel for a start beacuse my freind cant even put two words togther in council meetings and I personaly feel Mr Patel is not up to it, never seen him do anything for the community. Mr Khonat is a good well educated councilor who will help people in what ever way possible. If he provides food so wot its only beacuse he cares for the community and people who support him. Mr Khonat is jus being a nice chappy and showing how hounored he is to be elected as the ShearBrow ward councilor and is much more respected than Lib Dem candidates & councilors who claim dodgy benefits and are racists and only do good for themselves and not the community.

Thankyou.

VOTE FOR SOLLY
Keep up the good work on St Jhons playing fields where majority of the older boys have played football and grwon up to become prime examples.
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independant, blackburn says...
1:30pm Sat 19 Apr 08

there is free lunch/tea ( full indian) at July street, blackburn later today provided by Cllr Zameer Khan - so long as you promise to vote him!!!
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queens park resident, queens park ward says...
12:37pm Sat 19 Apr 08

blackburn the whole town a "rotton borough" to the core.how can anyone be trusted to a free vote in this town.
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soap opera, coronation st says...
12:32pm Sat 19 Apr 08

is it free entry on production of your voting form.just leave with us we will fill them in for you
Report this post »

Judge Dredd, Uranus says...
11:26am Sat 19 Apr 08

Why are these bent polititians continually let off when they breach the rules / law.
It is a clear case of influencing voters from his community and he should do the honourable thing and stand down.
(So someone else can take his place and start doing it again)
Report this post »

LIB, blackburn says...
11:24am Sat 19 Apr 08

Im discusted with solly Im sure he new he was breaking the LAW BY DOING WHAT HE DID giv it up Solly Giv it to the Lib Dems do one thing right
Report this post »

Damian, blackburn says...
11:19am Sat 19 Apr 08

Get him to stand down and give it to the lib dems
End of
Report this post »

I am a sucker, nomoneyland says...
10:53am Sat 19 Apr 08

Labour leader Kate Hollern said
"It's something of nothing".

What I think she realy means is it,s "something for nothing" And prob paid from Jack Straws high expenses. So realy it's not "something for nothing"

It's us suckers that are being ripped off once again and again and again and again.


That is what they are spending the 10p tax rate on their election expences
Report this post »

bidie, lancs says...
10:26am Sat 19 Apr 08

Well corrupt and for themselves .The LIB DEM canditate for Shear Brow Ward on his leaflet is proud that are supporting a Muslim school ,thought it was for all not just select pupils .Also Road safety ? Where? the only positive contribution is that Pcso who did that video cos my child loves it and has learnt more from that than anywhere else
So all in all seems very one sided and NOT for the community
Report this post »

stooball66, backburn says...
8:34am Sat 19 Apr 08

CORRUPT TO THE CORE YET PEOPLE ON THESE FORUMS DEFEND THEM AND THINK THEY ARE GODS GIFT SENT THEM ALL BACK TO THEIR ROOTS
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observer, E Lancs says...
8:21am Sat 19 Apr 08

Such 'treating' is a serious offence under election law. It should be reported to the police' thoroughly investigated and then prosecuted.
The Labour Party should not be allowed to get away with it.
Report this post »

vikingpower, blackburn says...
7:15am Sat 19 Apr 08

Easy solution to this:dont vote labour.
Report this post »

bb, bb says...
12:13am Sat 19 Apr 08

Kate Hollern would have been indignant if this was one of Lib-Dem or Con clls. She would have been shouting from the tallest tree about foul play.

But, since this one is one of her own, its a metter of "something of nothing"

CLASSIC!!
Report this post »

Gabs, says...
9:02pm Fri 18 Apr 08

David Foster has a cheek, He has one Councillor guilty of benefit fraud and another who has no contact details and spends most of his time in Bradford, Leicester or India. Both picking up over £ 6000 of tax payers money for doing nothing. Perhaps Mr Foster needs a reality check
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