Ex-councillor wins £187k discrimination case

Former members of a now-dissolved Conservative group in Walsall have been ordered to pay £187,000 following a landmark racial discrimination case.

Mohammed Arif, who served as a Conservative councillor in the town for 12 years, sued the former Walsall Conservative Federation for discrimination and victimisation.

Following a trial last year, Birmingham County Court ruled that his Muslim faith had been "weaponised" when he was not chosen as a local election candidate.

The court also found he was victimised through his expulsion and re-expulsion from the federation and the Conservative party.

The case follows a 2021 independent report, which found Arif had been treated less favourably because of his identity as a Muslim or person of Pakistani origin and criticised the Conservative Party's handling of complaints about discrimination.

Former Conservative councillor Suky Samra, John Baker and Brian Letts were named as defendants, representing the former federation.

The judge ordered that 85% of Arif's legal costs be paid, amounting to £150,000, and awarded him £37,000 in compensation for injury to feelings.

Speaking after the ruling, Arif said the judgment showed that no political organisation was "above the law".

"The financial consequences reflect the seriousness of the discrimination and victimisation I faced, as well as the long legal battle that I had to endure to attain justice," he said.

"A strong message has been sent to those who believe they can misuse power without accountability. They know now the law will protect those who are discriminated against and victimised."

Samra said he and the other defendants were acting as representatives of the federation's executive committee, which he said was made up of about 40 unpaid volunteers, between 2014 and 2018.

"No individuals are personally liable as it was an un-incorporated association," he said.

"The federation maintains it always acted on Conservative Party guidance throughout.

"Multiple individuals of all faiths attended different meetings involving Mohammed Arif and no one individual made any decision."

The Conservative party has been approached for comment.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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