Pic: Alberto Otero García, Flickr

A former Tower Hamlets Councillor has been jailed for five months after being found guilty of housing fraud on October 27.

Shahed Ali, who had represented Whitechapel, appeared in Snaresbrook Crown Court for sentencing in relation to one count of housing fraud under Section 3 of the Fraud Act 2006 (fraud by failing to disclose information).

Ali failed to notify the council of a change in his circumstances when he accepted a council tenancy. He also failed to disclose that he owned two properties.

Chief Executive of Tower Hamlets Council Will Tuckley, said: “Tower Hamlets is a densely populated London borough with almost 20,000 people on our housing waiting list. Mr Ali’s actions had a significant impact on others and meant that residents in urgent need of housing could not be accommodated.

“This was compounded by his role as an elected member, in a position of trust, and one where he represented many of the people affected by the housing challenges we face.

“Tower Hamlets Council will always investigate fraudulent activity and we will pursue legal action whenever we can.

“Under the rules of the Local Government Act 1972, Mr Ali is immediately disqualified from his role as a Councillor for the Whitechapel ward.”

Ali is now disqualified from office as a councillor and cannot stand again for five years.