REVEALED: Complaint Names Labour Councillor Mariam Dawood in Neighbour Dispute
Following last week’s Evening Standard report (see here) and Open Newham’s own “Great Newham Bake-Off” feature (see here), Open Newham can confirm that a formal complaint has been submitted to Newham Council’s Monitoring Officer alleging misconduct by Manor Park Labour Councillor Mariam Dawood and her father.
What the Complaint Says
The letter, dated 19 July 2025, accuses the pair of “a sustained campaign of intimidation via various council departments, interference and harassment” towards neighbours at 137 Claremont Road, Forest Gate. It claims that, following the death of Fatima Yusuf’s father, her neighbour Cllr Dawood and her father used council channels to disrupt their lives and their small home-based bakery business, with the alleged aim of driving them from their property.
According to the document, the conduct amounts to:
- Misuse of authority for personal gain
- Harassment and intimidation of neighbours
- Bringing the role of councillor and the council into disrepute
The complaint further asserts that members of the local Gujarati community are aware of the situation and have expressed concern, saying the behaviour is “deeply inappropriate, unethical and entirely unbefitting of an elected official.”
Separately, locals allege that Cllr Dawood’s ward colleague, Cllr Salim Patel may have been aware of the dispute and could have assisted behind the scenes. There is no evidence or formal allegation of wrongdoing against Cllr Salim Patel but residents are calling for any potential involvement to be examined as part of the wider investigation.
Cllr Salim Patel of Manor Park Ward
The Wider Context
The complainants are the same family featured in the Evening Standard article: baker Fatima Yusuf and her mother, who run a fully registered home bakery that, they say, has operated without issue for fifteen years, until the recent enforcement notice from the council.
It is understood the notice followed a complaint, allegedly from Cllr Dawood and members of her household, claiming the bakery caused nuisance in a residential area. Sixteen other neighbours have since signed a statement supporting the Yusufs, describing them as “quiet, pleasant and amenable.”
Below is the explosive and damning complaint sent to the council.
Political Pressure Rises
The allegations have triggered concern among Labour sources, with insiders saying the party is under pressure to investigate swiftly. Cllr Dawood, first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022 with over 66 per cent of the vote, now faces internal questions about whether the council’s own processes were misused.
One senior Labour insider told Open Newham privately: “It’s a distraction we really didn’t need, and it risks looking like the council turns its fire on ordinary residents rather than fixing bigger problems.”
Party Fallout – The Local Ripple Effect
The Newham Independent Party, fresh from its Plaistow South by-election win, is reportedly eyeing Manor Park as a target ward in next year’s local elections. If proven, these allegations could feed a growing narrative of Labour complacency and over-reach.
Council Response
Both the Council and Cllr Dawood have been approached for comment by the time of publication. We will publish any response received. As of publication, the complaint remains under initial review.
Open Newham publishes this story in the public interest, reflecting the growing concern among residents over transparency and accountability at Newham Council.
Editor’s note: This article reports on an ongoing complaint under Newham Council’s Member Code of Conduct. The allegations remain unproven. Cllr Mariam Dawood and Newham Council have been invited to comment and their responses will be published in full once received.