Draft Summary of Allegation of Misconduct in Public following ICO orders

 This is the summary of the allegation of misconduct in public office allegation to be sent to the police on the 18th April. It seems fair to send to Jas Athwal et al in advance of sending in case they wish to comment before writing to the police. Detailed argument to follow. 

Subject: Formal Allegation of Misconduct in Public Office

To: Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police,  New Scotland Yard, Victoria Embankment, London, SW1A 2JL

RE: Formal Report of Misconduct in Public Office – Councillor Jas Athwal MP & Others
Dear Sir Mark Rowley

Summary

We are writing to formally report an allegation of Misconduct in Public Office involving MP and former Councillor Jas Athwal, Council Leader Councillor Rai, members of the Redbridge Council Cabinet & senior Council employers

Background of Allegations
In 2024, a BBC investigation revealed that Jas Athwal owned unlicensed rental properties that were in sub-standard condition. Calls by Councillor Canal for an internal investigation were rejected by the Council. Despite internal guidance and a court case involving Redbridge Council suggesting that a fine was the mandatory course of action, no such penalty has been issued.

New Developments and Procedural Failures
In March 2026, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) ordered Redbridge Council to disclose documents that may serve as evidence of misconduct, although the Council has indicated its intent to appeal these orders.

Following the ICO decision, Andy Walker again requested the Monitoring Officer open a conduct investigation. In April 2026 this request was denied by the Chief Legal Officer, Agnes Adrien, who claimed Mr Athwal was acting as a "private individual." This argument lacks credibility; for instance, in 2022, a minor planning application for Mr Athwal’s home was sent to a full public committee specifically to ensure transparency and prove he was not abusing his public position.

Justification for Police Intervention
We rely on the legal authority of Brooke [2008] EWHC 1084 (Admin), a case that established transparency standards and eventually led to MP convictions. However, while Brooke took five years to resolve, the potential involvement of senior council officers in suppressing scrutiny makes immediate action necessary.

Just as a suspected shoplifter is searched based on reasonable suspicion, the systemic failure of Redbridge Council to exercise its own scrutiny functions constitutes "reasonable suspicion" of a cover-up.

Request for Action
We believe it is a proportionate use of Metropolitan Police resources to:

  1. Open a formal investigation into these allegations.

  2. Formally request that Councillor Rai and Ms Adrien disclose the specific legal or procedural grounds for failing to fine Mr Athwal.






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