Mr Rahman was initially chosen as a Labour candidate at the 2010 Mayoral election, but was removed after allegations that he was closely linked to an alleged Islamic fundamentalist group – the Islamic Forum of Europe – and fraudulently signed up members to win the party’s selection.
Despite the allegations and removal from Labour, he prevailed in the election as an independent candidate.
He has denied ever being a member of the Islamic Forum of Europe or any Islamic organisation.
Leading under the banner of Tower Hamlets First, he was re-elected as Mayor in 2014, but residents of the London borough challenged the results, alleging intimidation and the guarantee of free housing in exchange for votes.
The election was then declared void, and Mr Rahman was found guilty of illegal election practices and banned from holding office for five years – but he returned to office in November 2022 under the banner of Aspire.
