Qayyum to lead city Labour group after resignation

Dr Shabina Qayyum has been chosen as the new leader of the Labour group at Peterborough City Council

A new Labour group leader has been chosen on a city council after a councillor referred to grooming gang victims as "poor white trash from Rotherham".

Dennis Jones, who represented the Dogsthorpe ward, resigned from the party and later "apologised wholeheartedly for the language".

Shabina Qayyum, a local GP and city councillor, has now been elected by Peterborough Labour party members to lead the city council group.

The change follows Daisy Blakemore-Creedon, an Independent Peterborough city councillor, sharing on social media a screenshot of an exchange between her and Jones from 8 August in which he made the comment.

The authority is expected to elect a new leader at a meeting on Friday.

Dennis Jones "apologised wholeheartedly for the language"

Peterborough City Council confirmed previously: "A formal complaint has been received by the council in relation to this and we are now considering its contents."

Following the complaint, Jones said: "With regard to the topic discussed, let me be absolutely clear: vile perpetrators of sexual abuse must face the full force of the law.

"In trying to assert this view, I used language which some who wrongly dismiss or choose to ignore such evil crimes commonly use to minimise such criminality."

Jones became the leader of Peterborough City Council in May 2024 following the resignation of Peterborough First's Mohammed Farooq.

Quyyam, who has been a Peterborough councillor since 2019, said on social media: "I shall be opening my doors to a new era of kindness, collaboration and positivity in politics.

"Members of all political inclination will find me available and accessible.

"I value the respectful relationships I have with many councillors, cross-party. Long may that remain."