Labour party expels councillors who 'supported rival'

The Labour Party in Tower Hamlets says it has upheld a decision to expel five councillors after they supported opposition candidates in a by-election.

Kabir Ahmed, Rofique Ahmed, Shahed Ali, Abdul Asad and Shafiqul Haque had appealed against their expulsion.

The Labour Party said they campaigned for independent candidate Gulam Robbani in the by-election in Spitalfields, east London, in April.

Mr Asad said the councillors were taking legal advice.

Leader of the Labour group, Councillor Joshua Peck, said: "You cannot campaign against the party and expect to remain a member."

All five men remain Independent councillors for Tower Hamlets.

Labour was narrowly defeated in the by-election by Mr Robbani.