Labour councillor who was forced to resign as a school governor for saying there was ‘no proof’ ISIS exists is protecting children from radicalisation

A Labour councillor suspended as a school governor after claiming there was ‘no proof’ that ISIS exists has won a key council role – helping protect the city’s children from radicalisation.

Safia Akhtar Noor had also previously posted on Facebook that people should ‘grow up and stop pointing fingers’ after the Westminster terror attack which left five dead.

She was suspended as a governor by Yew Tree Community School in Witton, Birmingham, which said her statements had breached its code of conduct – and later resigned her role of governor.

Yet despite the controversy sparked by her comments, the law student was allowed by Labour to stand in May’s local elections, where she won a seat for Small Heath.

She is known as Councillor Akhtar in municipal circles, and in Birmingham City Council papers.

Now, it has been revealed Cllr Akhtar has been appointed to the Children’s Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Alex Yip, Conservative councillor for Sutton Wylde Green, questioned her selection to the committee, which will include ensuring that children are protected from radicalisation.

Cllr Yip said: ‘It is shocking to think that the Labour administration would appoint Councillor Akhtar, of all the ones available, to this scrutiny committee.

‘Although she has apologised for saying they [her social media postings] should have been worded more carefully, they still represent her views.

‘Considering that the school at which she was a governor suspended her, saying her comments breached its code of conduct, it beggars belief that Labour think it appropriate for her to oversee safeguarding of children, including protecting them from the threat of radicalisation.’

On March 22 last year, Birmingham terrorist Khalid Masood mowed down innocent victims on Westminster Bridge, killing four, before stabbing police officer Keith Palmer to death.

On the same day Cllr Akhtar – who was not a councillor at the time – posted on Facebook: ‘Can people relax and stop fighting on Facebook?

‘Sadly people died in Westminster today but people die everyday in Syria, Palestine, Africa, Rohingya, Kashmir.. Need I carry on?!!

‘Grow up and stop pointing fingers!’

In another message posted the same day only to her followers, Ms Noor said: ‘Terrorist attack… and even the terrorist died?! Let me guess, he was a Muslim!’

On March 27 last year, she commented on a newspaper article which carried the headline ‘Westminster attacker Khalid Masood had interest in Jihad – police’.

Cllr Akhtar posted to her followers: ‘So someone got stabbed after the attack last week as a result of media and government claiming that SO CALLED ISIS HAD CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY.

‘There is no ISIS and there is no proof.’

Cllr Akhtar, who has posed for photographs with Labour MPs including Yvette Cooper, Jess Philips and Shabana Mahmood, previously issued a statement apologising for her postings.

Cllr Akhtar said previously: ‘Having read these comments back, I accept I should have chosen my words more carefully,’ she said.

‘I didn’t intend to cause any offence and I apologise to anyone who found those comments offensive or upsetting.

‘I completely condemn all terrorist acts.’

Cllr Akhtar was unavailable for comment.

But Birmingham Labour Group Party secretary, Councillor Martin Straker-Welds, said: ‘The Labour Party undertook a preliminary investigation that revealed not only that the posts had been removed very shortly after being posted but that Ms. Akhtar had also issued a statement where she offered an unreserved apology and condemned all terrorist acts.

Source: Daily Mail