Longtime Walsall adviser suspended by Labor over Islamophobia allegations

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Councilor Ian Robertson, who represents the Blakenall neighborhood in Walsall, is currently under investigation by officials after a complaint was filed.

It is understood that he is administratively suspended, although this does not prevent him from performing his normal duties as Councilor Walsall.

A post on social media from Councilor Robertson has since been revealed, in which he posted a photo and full address of a house suspected of breaking Covid rules, before following up on a comment on the Muslims, which prompted the official complaint.

A Facebook post now deleted by Councilor Ian Robertson

Councilor Robertson said he had received support from several people who said the allegation against him was unfounded. He also said the loss of his uncle and the fact that Covid prevented a funeral service triggered the Facebook post on March 20, which he deleted shortly after.

The post read: Watch how this house is breaking the Covid rules. 18 cars outside and they have the nerve to place a disinfectant bottle on the doorstep for visitors and a distance note on the front door. We here obey the rules, but some feel above the law.

A follow-up message read: ‘Annoyed because I had to not organize a funeral for my uncle who died at Covid. This family does not have the right to break the rules. Ditto for Muslims who also sometimes break the rules of numbers.

This drew criticism from other Facebook users who feared it could incite hateful behavior.

A Facebook post now deleted by Councilor Ian Robertson

Regarding the post, Councilor Robertson said: I lost my uncle and couldn’t arrange a funeral for him because of the rules which I think made me feel pretty upset at this subject.

I know the family very well and have had a conversation with them. We haven’t fallen out at all on this. I removed (the message) because I didn’t want to embarrass the family at all.

He added: I have had loads of people writing to me protesting the suspension of many people from the Labor Party, many Muslim friends and even a large number of Conservative Party members who are amazed that someone made a totally unfounded allegation.

The fact that I’ve been to Pakistan and Kashmir half a dozen times, helped rebuild a school there, and held free health camps, it seems amazing that one can be accused of Islamophobia.

Councilor Robertson, a member of the Labor Party for almost 40 years, represented the region from 1999 to 2012, when he lost his seat and again from 2014. He sits on the Audit Committee, Council of Health and Wellness, the Local Outbreak Engagement Council and the Council Planning Committee and previously served as agent for Valerie Vaz, MP for Walsall South.

The National Party and Walsall Labor declined to comment while the investigation is ongoing.

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