The National Crime Agency has been called in after a tape emerged of a businessman, with close links to the Labour Party, demanding a £2million ‘bribe’ to secure planning permission for a skyscraper in east London.
Abdul Shukur ‘Shuks’ Khalisadar, a 38-year-old entrepreneur who operates a business centre in Whitechapel, is alleged to have said he needed the lump sum to grease the palms of Labour politicians for a £500m development in the Isle of Dogs.
But the businessman was snared after a consultant acting on behalf of the Far East Consortium – an international property development company – recorded the conversation where Khalisadar laid out his financial demands. The 58 minute conversation was passed on to the Sunday Times by a whistle-blower.
The National Crime Agency has been called in after an audio clip emerged of a businessman with close ties to Labour demanding a £2million ‘bribe’ to secure planning permission. Abdul Shukur ‘Shuks’ Khalisadar, 28, is alleged to have said he needed the lump sum to pay off Labour politicians for a £500m development in the Isle of Dogs (with Harriet Harman in 2015)
In return, Khalisadar – also known as Shuks – claimed he could guarantee planning permission so the FEC could build one of Britain’s biggest skyscrapers in the borough of Tower Hamlets – a long term Labour stronghold.
Ten days before the phone call was recorded, Shuks had stunned the FEC’s head of UK development by making the alleged bribe request in a private meeting.
Taken aback, John Connolly instructed a consultant to secretly record how the details of the payment would be made.
During the conversation, the east London businessman demanded the eye-watering sum, which he is alleged to have said would be divided equally between four Labour politicians.
Acting as a ‘buffer’ between the politicians and the property developers, Shuks is recorded saying he needed a further £15,000 a month, including VAT, as a consultancy fee.
As part of the alleged illicit deal, he claimed the bulk of the money would go to the ‘gatekeepers’ which he said were Labour politicians in long term positions of power.
The businessman (left) was snared after a consultant acting on behalf of the Far East Consortium, an international property development company, recorded the conversation where Khalisadar laid out his financial demands
Acting as a ‘buffer’ between the politicians and the property developers, Shuks is recorded saying he needed a further £15,000 a month, including VAT, as a consultancy fee
‘To be frank,’ he said. ‘A bulk of the premium’s got to go to these greedy f****** — not me. I’m being blatant.’
Shuks was alleged to have been introduced into the deal by Shiria Khatun, a deputy major of Tower Hamlets council who said he was someone who could ensure planning permission approval.
During the call the businessman also bragged about his value among Labour politicians having been pictured with a host of top MPs including Harriet Harman for his ability to galvanize the ethnic minority vote.
As part of the alleged illicit deal, Khalisadar claimed the bulk of the money would go to the ‘gatekeepers’ which he said were Labour politicians in long term positions of power
When approached by the Sunday Times, Shuks admitted asking for the £2m but denied acting corruptly. Tower Hamlets council have referred the case to the National Crime Agency’s Serious Fraud Office
When approached by the Sunday Times, Shuks admitted asking for the £2m but denied acting corruptly.
His lawyers said he denied wrongdoing and negotiation were concluded without any contracts signed.
Khatun, who resigned as deputy mayor earlier this year, denies any wrongdoing.
Tower Hamlets council have referred the case to the National Crime Agency’s Serious Fraud Office.