Irregularities over unpaid restaurant bill were brought to light in audit investigation

Ealing Southall MP Virendra Sharma and Ealing's Council Leader could face court action over an unpaid restaurant bill.

The news, reported in the political blog 'The Skwawkbox', relates to a booking for the Aroma Banqueting Suite in Hayes over two years ago for a fundraising event held by the pair.

It follows an audit of Ealing Southall CLP (constituency Labour party) funds which uncovered what's been described as 'irregularities' - namely that a cheque had been written to the then owner, Mr Khaira, to pay for the event without the consent from local party officers.

Because of further problems the bank refused to cash the cheque and in June 2019 the CLP’s General Committee voted not to pay the bill, as neither Cllr Bell nor Mr Sharma were said to have any authority over CLP funds. It has been alleged that safeguards over party funds had been bypassed. Legal costs and interest have increased the amount claimed to £6877 to date.

Previously, members of Southall CLP voted to trigger a selection process to find a potential replacement for Mr Sharma, but a general election was called before the process was completed. Earlier in the year he lost a no-confidence vote. Cllr Bell and Mr Sharma are widely seen as representing the centrist element in the Labour party and members from the left have often been highly critical of them.

The case over the unpaid bill has been issued in the county court and has yet to be decided so no legal liability has been established either way.

Skwawkbox contacted Julian Bell and Virendra Sharma separately for comment. In a joint statement provided in response, the pair said, "It would not be appropriate for us to comment on this matter as it is currently the subject of court proceedings other than we wholly reject the claim."

Ealing Today also contacted both Cllr Bell and Mr Sharma and await reply.

Aroma Banqueting now has different owners.

19th March 2020