Council leader cleared of misconduct allegation

Darren Rodwell had wanted to stand as a Labour candidate in the general election

The leader of an east London council has been cleared of an allegation of misconduct during an internal process, which had forced him to withdraw as a candidate in the general election.

Barking and Dagenham Council's Darren Rodwell said there had been a "deliberate attempt" to damage his reputation ahead of nominations closing.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, he said he had been “incredibly hurt” by the complaint and had been forced to withdraw to ensure a Labour victory.

A Labour spokesman said there had been no active investigation but refused to comment further.

'Heart-breaking decision'

Mr Rodwell said it had been a stressful time and it was "particularly upsetting" for his family who were "still living with the consequences".

He added the timing of the complaint had forced him to take "the heart-breaking decision" to withdraw his candidacy.

“I do not believe this was a coincidence but a deliberate attempt to besmirch my name and reputation ahead of the close of nominations.”

He added he was "now focused on playing my part in supporting the Labour government".

Mr Rodwell led Barking and Dagenham Council for more than a decade and was selected by local party members to contest the Barking seat.

But days before Labour confirmed the nomination, a complaint was made about him to the party - leading to his removal from from the list.

Labour chose Enfield council leader Nesil Caliskan in his place. She won with a 16,277 majority.

Nesil Caliskan, chosen in place of Mr Rodwell, is now the MP for Barking

In a statement at the time the allegation was made, Mr Rodwell said he “utterly refuted” what was said to have happened at a meeting on development issues in his constituency.

“I have not engaged in sexual harassment of any kind; I did not indulge in ‘inappropriate touching’ of an attendee at an event last month.

“I have no recollection of meeting someone for a coffee to discuss development in Barking; there is no evidence of any such meeting in my diary.

"Likewise, I have no recollection of asking personal questions.

“It’s not clear what drinks I was ordering, but for the record, I do not drink alcohol.

“I can only imagine that I am a victim of some sort of attempt to prevent me being selected as Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Barking.”

Mr Rodwell previously attracted criticism for hanging a "Darren Rodwell for Barking" banner on some gravestones.

He said at the time that he "wasn't being disrespectful” and the banner was there temporarily while his team were fetching more straps.

In 2006, he was cleared by Labour’s NEC over an appearance at a Black History month event, where he told the audience “you might have noticed that I’ve got the worst tan possible for a black man.”

Mr Rodwell played a role in countering the rise of the British National Party, which had 12 councillors on the council in 2006.

He speaks on housing, planning and regeneration for London Councils, which represents the capital’s 33 local authorities.