Rochdale Lib Dems in second home expenses scandal?

On the day the Paul Rowen MP hailed a Lib Dem victory in ensuring MP's expenses are made public, his troubled Agent David Hennigan has stumbled into controversy.

The clearly tired and emotional Spin Doctor was seen in Rochdale Town centre in the early hours of this morning. The dishevelled public figure smelt of intoxicants and staggered up Drake Street clutching a pizza whilst inpecting the failed regeneration project sites of the Rochdale Development Agency.

He was spotted entering the Rochdale Lib Dem offices at 1.30am. It appears he spent the night there. Was this on party business? If so how is Paul Rowen ensuring his staff abide by the Working Time Directive? After all, Mr Rowen is shadow, shadow DWP No.2.


(archive photos of Dave Hennigan)

Rumours persist that Mr Hennigan has slept in the Rochdale Lib Dem Drake Street offices on a number of occasions in similar circumstances.

It is understood Mr Hennigan left his marriage and Stockport home last year to spend more time with his politics. In doing so he decamped to a flat in Heywood. His landlord is Lib Dem Councillor Peter Rush. Dave publicly remarked that his move to Heywood would be a positive thing for the town. Despite his arrival the local economy has declined and several pubs have closed.

Mr Hennigan's nocturnal habits and sleeping arrangements pose a problem for his boss Paul Rowen MP. The politics of yob culture and binge drinking issues aside, his public stand on ensuring MP's expenses are fully accountable may backfire.

In the spirit of openness that Mr Rowen has nailed his colours to, will Rochdale's MP answer these simple questions?

-Is Dave Hennigan's salary paid for out of MP's expenses? If so, what pay scale is he on? How does this equate to other members of his staff?

-Is any of Adam Power's wage paid for by Parliamentary expenses?

-How much has the rent for the Lib Dem offices increased by? Has this increase been paid for out of Parliamentary expenses?



-If Mr Hennigan sleeps at the Drake Street offices, does this comply with planning conditions (for office use only) and Council Tax. And what about the smell for co-workers the morning after?

-If this Drake Street address is classed as a second Parliamentary home, will he disclose his John Lewis list?

-Does the Drake Street office have recycling bins to deal with domestic waste (cans, bottles, pizza boxes etc?


(a photo certainly not of Dave Hennigan)

Rochdale Lib Dem Mohammed Shafiq, Cheif Executive of UK's leading Muslim youth organisation, the Ramadhan Foundation, was unavailable for comment.

Panorama have been informed.

Mohammed Shafiq: Yet another Rochdale Lib Dem Man of Mystery.

Self-appointed Muslim yoof guru Mohammed Shafiq is no shrinking violet when it comes to promoting himself.

Some say the Deeplish Lad was getting too pally with the US media. (He was on Panorama don't you know). So lately he appears to have toughened his act up.

Many of his recent comments on the discussion board of Rochdale Online are true gems of high farce. His views on community relations can often be a sight to behold with liberal sprinklings of phrases such as 'genocide', 'holocaust' and referring to Israel as 'Zion' and describing them as Nazi's. Yet his public comments are tailed with the ironic tagline:

“M Shafiq - Working to promote understanding between communities”.

Is it too much to conclude that Brand Shafiq's inflamatory references to “Zion” ensured that racist and religiously bigoted thugs vandalised a Rochdale Baptist chapel last week? Fear not, Mighty Gob Shaffiq hath made a public pronouncement. Talk about having his cake and eating it?

All Children of Ibrahim are welcome to sup at young Shafiq's table (providing he can get a photo/press release and perhaps a TV interview out of it. -He was on Panorama don't you know). Apparently whilst at St Peter's Square in the Vatican, pilgrims were heard to ask who the old German geezer was stood talking with young Master Shafiq -the boy off the telly- (who has also been on Panorama).

Shafiq's ego has really been in overdrive recently. It must be costing him a fortune in vain texts to 'supporters' informing them of when he is to appear on satellite link ups for the BBC, Canadian and US television news. (Has he mentioned Panorama?)

In true, push-me-pull-you Lib Dem style he has managed to inflame both sides of opinion regarding Prince Harry's recent 'P'-Gate debacle. But at least he gets two bites of the international media cherry- first by calling Prince Harry a “thug” who should atone for his racism by coming up north to meet him. Then he publicly retracts some of his previous comments with a flourish and apparently receives a grateful email from Clarence House for his sycophancy. Double bubble.

No wonder Donal Blarney compared Shafiq to Private Eye's Glenda Slagg.

But has Shafiq created a truly awesome feat of community cohesion? It seems folk from all sides, left/right, black/white, gay/straight find him an irritating, jumped up, opinionated moron.

But who is Mohammed Shafiq?

There is a lot of stuff on the web about him. A lot of it looks as though he put it there himself. Nevertheless it gives an intriguing insight into the public face of a self-promoting fool (who has appeared on Panorama).

Young Mo doesn't say a lot about his job or education but does a quick internet shufty show Shafiq in a shady situation? For those who are LinkedIn it appears Mohammed Shafiq doubled as both a “Chief Executive” and a civil servant- working for Her Majesty as an Administrative Officer in a JobCentrePlus in Stockport. Prior to that (according to a modest article in USA Today) Shafiq worked in the Job Centre at Bolton. Shafiq's MSM moniker is “shafiqdwp”

There is a talk, from within Rochdale Lib Dems, of Shafiq getting a ticking off for using Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) notepaper for some of his illiberal rants.

So, does this international man of mystery find the time to work for a UK government agency? How does he find the time to appear on Sky, BBC (Panorama), CNN etc etc? Does a servant of the Queen not have to be careful what he says in public- especially on delicate issues of race and religion? Is there more to this working relationship than meets the eye?

Modest Shafiq has a blog – where he describes himself as:

“one of the most recognised faces speaking on Muslim issues in the interantional (sic) arena, he talks about his life, outlook on news and views in general. He appears on regular programmes across the globe”

Shafiq makes no mention of his education. Being the sort of trumpet blower that he appears to be, if he had qualifications we would all know about it. There was talk of him starting an NVQ but the work on building his hollowed-out volcano and media appearances must have got in the way.

Shafiq has his own personal website. This vain piece of digital masturbation is a sight to behold. There is also a chance to donate cash to him online. What do his government employers or the Inland Revenue think about this income stream? Is all the cash accounted for?

His personal website also has a “media centre” page. He has not one, but two mobile numbers.

There is a collection of Shafiq's TV appearances (including Panorama) on YouTube and his photo album on Flickr. What a busy boy he is.

It seems young Shafiq was once Vice Chairman of Rochdale Liberal Democrats until it was discovered he had foot-in-mouth syndrome.

Foot in mouth #1:

Shafiq called fellow Rochdale Lib Dem, Cllr Elwyn Watkins a racist on TV (not Panorama). Thats not very nice given that Elwyn spends a lot of time in Saudi working for a mystery Sheik. Perhaps Shafiq could make amends by producing a private video where he calls Elwyn his “little Taffy friend”. He could issue an edict criticising himself, then another issuing a profound personal apology. Double bubble.

Foot in Mouth #2:

Shafiq was caught in flagrante massaging his own ego on the Rochdale Online message board. Writing as “Deeplish Lad” he delivered purple prose about himself. Things got messy when he was metaphorically caught with his pants down whilst on the internet.

Foot in mouth #3:

Shafiq made national news (but not Panorama) by calling for the sacking of Trevor Phillips- then Chair of the Race Equality Council. In words that caused a wry smile from those that knew the Moron from Milkstone Rd, Shafiq had the brass neck to say about the Head of the REC:

“He is more interested in being a personality than doing what he should do and promote community cohesion." Fancy that eh?

Foot in mouth #4:

Shafiq also accused the Bishop of Rochester, Dr Nazir Ali, of “whipping up hatred against muslims” The barmy Bishop basher suggested Dr Ali's comments would “remind people of the road to nazism”.

After these outburst of drivel, the vice chair of Rochdale Lib Dems was too hot for Shafiq to sit in.

He says he remains an advisor to Nick Clegg on diversity matters. Wow.

Does Nick mind Fib Dem shapeshifter Shafiq speaking (to) Balls?

Strangely there is little written about any Shafiq's relationship with fellow Rochdale Lib Dem Paul Rowen, the current MP for Rochdale- a man who has only just discovered Palestine. Why are they both so coy? Doesn't Shafiq advise Paul about Gaza? Isn't Paul Rowen a shadow shadow minister for the work and pensions- a ministry responsible for an H.M Government department that Shafiq gets a pay cheque from?

Shafiq and The Smiths.

Cyril Smith and gormless brother Norm have kissed the Shafiq Ring. Cyril gave him a double thumbs-up. What words of wisdom were shared during that meeting?

“Now then, all you have to do sprout daft opinions, look busy, be in lots of photos taking the credit for the work of others- and don't get caught squeezing bollocks or with your hand in the till. If it all turns to shite, deny everything and get your followers (or yourself) to write supportive letters in the Rochdale Observer.”?

No problems with that. A chip off the Spanker Smith's block- Shafiq is a fine asset to the Rochdale Lib Dem Brains Trust.

The only thing is- it appears he isn't that bright. Plus he has a remarkable talent for getting up the noses of most factions of the fractious Rochdale Lib Dem party. The old, white, illiberal stick-in-the muds don't like “his sort”. He is truly hated by several Muslim members. He has even managed to annoy and patronise the most liberal of party members with his moronic pronouncements to the media. Quite a loose cannon on the tinder box issues of race and religion. His association with the shadowy Ramadan Foundation is both an embarrassment and a mystery.

What is the Ramadhan Foundation?

The Ramadhan Foundation describes itself as “UK's Leading Muslim Youth organisation”.

How is such an accolade calculated? By membership? By income? By appearing on Panorama?

The Ramadhan Foundation is not a charity. There is a limited company listed with this name. It is registered to a unit in an industrial trading estate in Oldham. There is no share capital. No accounts have been filed and an overdue penanlty beckons. There is a proposal to strike this company off the register. Is this another Shafiq success story or something unrelated? Perhaps Panorama should investigate?

The Hotfrog business directory lists the Ramadhan Foundation under the heading voluntary and charitable organisation. It gives an address in Rochdale and one of Shafiq's mobile telephone numbers.

According to the T'interweb, Shafiq is/was the Ramadhan Foundation's:

Founding Member, Project Manager, Press Spokesman, plus there was a recent “annoucment” (sic) of his appointment as Cheif (sic) Executive.

(oh, and he appeared on Panorama).

The Ramadhan Foundation says its Advisory Board is made up of “ international Scholars and intellectuals”. It lists Mohammed Shafiq as Chief Exec but doesn't say whether he is an international scholar or just a mere intellectual.

http://www.ramadhanfoundation.com/advisoryboard.htm

So there we have it. Mohamed Shafiq- Rochdale Lib Dem international man of mystery.

Is he a hard working, modest hero doing his bit for all communities in his spare time from his job as a civil servant? Or is he a self-appointed, bishop-bashing, egotistical moron, whoring himself to the western media by delivering spicy soundbites about Islam to western news organisations desperate for a friendly young Muslim face to provide lame reassurances and faux debate?

Or he might just be a bit of a tit.

.

Paul Rowen finally speaks about Gaza. Or did he mean Gazza?

(Surely not ball-squeezing antics from the 1980's when Cyril was MP?)




Perhaps, with a majority of less than 500, every vote counts.
Has current Rochdale MP Paul Rowen recently discovered Palestine in a conversion on the road to Damascus?

Paul didn't really cut the mustard in a debate about Palestine at Castlemere Community Centre last week. The lacklustre MP's spurious claims, involving incendiary language turned into a damp squib. Some say an anti-Rowen backlash is predicted.

Did Paul tell fibs to the meeting by suggesting he had been advising Fib Dem leader Nick Clogg on matters Palestinian?

Has this man no shame as defenceless women and children die?
The website They Work For You tells the true story about Paul Rowen's Parliamentary commitment to Palestine and Gaza.

The website has a search feature that allows key words to be matched with an MP's speeches and parliamentary activity.

On the Paul Rowen They Work For You page type the words "Gaza" or "Palestine".
Guess what? Absolutely no reference whatsoever can be found for Rochdale's current MP in all of his parliamentary career.

2005, 2006, 2007, 2008- nothing, zip, nada.

He had time to waste on great debates about fake tans, the disgrace of not getting full pint of beer or the desperate need to celebrate St Georges Day. Yet not one single word in Parliament in 4 years about the terrible plight of Palestinians.

Yet Paul Rowen suggests he has advised Nick Clegg on Gaza and Palestine during the current crisis? A very cheeky claim given that he has been on a long holiday to Thailand at the very time when any advice was needed.

MP's deserve holidays and privacy, even if the vacation destination is infamous for ladyboys, dodgy knock-offs and extraordinary uses for table tennis balls.

The moral of this tale is simple- Paul Rowen should not use the terrible deaths of innocent women and children as a cheap tactic to gain votes on a subject that he has absolutely no parliamentary track record on whatsoever.

Rochdale Observer airbrush out criticism of Cyril Smith

The Rochdale Obscurer is at it again in its remarkable defence of Cyril Smith.


The crime scene is the Readers Letters page, yet again.

At the top of the page it boasts "your views, your page" at the bottom is the caveat about complete editorial control.

In the middle of the letters page are a few postings from rochdalebobserver.co.uk

or "@nline" as Th'ob calls it.
Does an incorrect use of an @ make the Editor a silly tw@ ?


The posting from A Carter in the print version has been cut when compared to what is @nline.


Here are the offending words, missing from the print version:



"Bad town planning and some very dodgy decisions steamrolled through in the late 1960's and 1970's" REMAINS BUT THE FOLLOWING WAS CUT
"...by domineering politicians like Alderman Cyril Smith MP".

ending with

"This mess began decades ago. Weak, bullying politicians handed the reigns of power to unelected officers.

WAKE UP ROCHDALE !"


With such media censorship protecting Cyril Smith perhaps some in Rochdale will continue to slumber.

But probably not for much longer.

The naked ambition of Rochdale Lib Dems

Cllr Alan Taylor, Lib Dem Leader of Rochdale Council, has been ill recently. We genuinely wish him a speedy recovery.

However, it seems as though his local Lib Dem colleagues have the knives out.

Who ate all the pies? "Et Tu" said Alan's greedy old boss Cyril Smith: "Ney lad, we come to praise you".

Wrap up warm Alan and watch out for Lib Dems sneeking up behind you.

Paul Rowen MP - pucker up buttercup...

The phrase and photo taken shamelessly from Postman Patel's blog and Rochdale Rapper's comments.

A good point well made.

Rochdale's current MP Paul Rowen is the Lib Dem's shadow, shadow Minister for Work and Pensions.

Is he is also an employer - apparently with 1.5 staff members based in the Rochdale Drake Street HQ - where despite the commercial property collapse, the rent (paid for by the taxpayer?) seems to have gone up by a spanking 400%.

One and a half Rochdale based employees? If one is international boy of mystery Adam Power, does that make wee spin paramedic Dave Hennighan... MiniMe?





After all, diddy Dave Hennigan is a part-time DJ. It is all starting to make sense.


But who would play Cyril Smith in the Mike Myers film of the Rochdale scandal?



Oh no, Adam Power can't be the current MP's employee- it seems Paul Rowen allowed Adam to say he wasn't. This was after Kevin Maguire in the Mirror revealed that Master Power was acting in a most unparliamentary way by spinning and briefing against Labour MP Tony Lloyd and making false allegations about libel threats. If Paul Rowen was Adam's employer then he could be 'vicariously' liable for such a ungentlemanly conduct on behalf of a supposedly Honourable Member.

Sounds like a case for Black Rod.

But Adam tells his Facebook chums he is an intern for an MP. The Rochdale Lib Dem website is still published and promoted by Adam Power, still from Drake Strett (sic), Rochdale. And there is photographic evidence of Paul and Adam joined at the hip.





So who pays for Adam Power? If not the taxpayer is it the Rochdale Council taxpayer via a pooling of some of the Rochdale Lib Dem Councillor's allowances donated to the local party?

Or does he do a lot of work, like his buddy Dave Hennigan says he does, for nothing?

So how much does Dave Hennigan get paid? If it comes from the taxpayer we should know (plus if there are any female workers on Paul Rowen's payroll they should be able to check for any gender disparity in pay).

After all, Paul Rowen is the Lib Dem shadow Works and Pensions Minister.

Does this mean Adam Power works but doesn't get paid? A worker for the Lib Dem Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions on less than Minimum Wage?

Or paid, somehow, from a Parliamentary allowance for a mysterious employee that Paul Rowen has denied is on the payroll?

Or paid from a shadowy slush fund that includes 'donations' from local Councillor's allowances that is supposed to be for the benefit of the individual councillor not the party?

What a conundrum.

A Parliamentary statement should clear things up.

Unless Adam Power or Dave Hennigan can rustle up a suitable comment?

Paul Rowen MP sings like a canary?

As the wheels fall off Rochdale's economy (Woolworths, Kingsway, Metrolink and the TIFF bid)
Rochdale's current MP has appeared on BBC North West's Politics show singing for his supper.

As Cyril Smith's home area of Falinge has yet again made national news for all the wrong reasons, we are treated to a few flat notes of Twelve Days of Christmas.

Rochdale Online has posted former choirboy, Dave Hennigan's press release (minus the usual superfluous exclaimation marks).

Those designer spectacles don't seem to be helping poor Paul in all sorts of ways. Cruel critics have suggested he is turning into ventriloquist's dummy Archie Andrews



If Paul has trouble singing the high notes, perhaps Cyril Smith could use his old Ugandan techniques.

Cyril Smith having a firm grip of the current MP by the balls could be why Paul Rowen is not chirping on other issues just yet...

Black holes in local party accounts and donations?
A secret asbestos brotherhood?
Interesting planning decsions?

Cyril Smith still has a firm grip. To have silenced the extremely serious allegations of long-standing sexual abuse is remarkable.

But rumours abound that investigations will happen.

Who will start singing like a canary then?