Ditta should have controlled himself (From Worcester News)
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Ditta should have controlled himself
5:30pm Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in News By Tom Edwards
A CONSERVATIVE councillor has broken ranks by verbally attacking Allah Ditta – and insists his fellow party member’s behaviour “is unacceptable”.
Councillor Aubrey Tarbuck, a former Worcester mayor, said if he was able to attend last week’s ‘no confidence’ debate he would have “either abstained or, frankly, voted for the motion”.
The outspoken politician was unable to attend last Tuesday’s full council meeting because he was recovering from a knee operation.
The motion, which called upon Coun Ditta to resign from two council committees, was passed by 17 votes to 16, despite every Tory member present voting against it.
The motion was drawn up by the opposition Labour group and was backed by the Green Party and Liberal Democrats.
Coun Ditta was secretly recorded threatening to dig up a dead man’s body at the city’s private Muslim cemetery during a dispute with a grieving family over £400 for graveyard work.
Ruhal Hussain, the son of Monuhor Ali, who is buried at the grave, has complained to both the city and county councils. His complaints were rejected on the basis Coun Ditta was acting in a private capacity as a volunteer, not a politician.
Coun Tarbuck said: “What Allah Ditta said was unacceptable. The argument that you can have a public and private life doesn’t work with me. If you are a public figure, you cannot go around behaving like that and say it’s a private matter.
“To say what he has said is awful. I would have thought he would have controlled himself.”
He was the only Tory absent from the vote. He said if he would have been there, Coun Ditta would not have received his backing.
“I’ve always been there for the people I represent – I am my own man,” he said.
“If I was there, I would have abstained, but depending on the debate during the night, I could easily have sided with the motion. I’m not prepared to accept it.”
Coun Ditta said: “I don’t care who you are, everyone has a bad moment. I know what I said wasn’t right, but I will carry on working for the residents.
“Everybody was entitled to vote with their own free will. This matter has nothing to do with the council.
“I don’t know why Aubrey is saying this but it doesn’t bother me.”
Comments(52)
Maggie Would
says...
6:02pm Tue 2 Oct 12
Maggie Would
says...
6:02pm Tue 2 Oct 12
denon
says...
6:11pm Tue 2 Oct 12
He got thrown out by the electorate in Malvern Hills.
His comments would ring true if he had sent a message expressing the views above to be read out at the meeting....but he didn't.
A word like "opportunist" publicity seeker.
What qualification does he have to be a Worcester city councillor when he lives in Malvern Hills?
MikeA
says...
7:31pm Tue 2 Oct 12
The Worcester News called for a “proper inquiry” and “full transparency” but this has apparently not happened.
For starters, did Councillor Ditta have a lawful and legitimate right to be demanding this money from this bereaved family?
If the demand was unwarranted why did Worcester Police regard this to be purely a “civil matter”?
How do Worcester Police interpret the words of Lord Wright regarding the word menace?
Lord Wright:
"I think the word 'menace' is to be liberally construed and not as limited to threats of violence but as including threats of any action detrimental to or unpleasant to the person addressed. It may also include a warning that in certain events such action is intended."
The Police like many public bodies are often less than honest or transparent in such matters and frankly are not above misinterpreting and misapplying the law when it suits them.
Regarding our local Police and Council, Councillor Tarbuck and I are still waiting for an appropriate explanation from both Worcester City Council and the Police why council officials believed they had the right to be spying on our emails. As Councillor Tarbuck will gladly confirm, the conduct of Worcester City Council in this matter was purely to conceal the unauthorised reading of emails after they had been caught doing it. Shameful but at least the internet does now allow such travesties to be placed into the public domain.
Regarding the conduct of Councillor Ditta and given that the Worcester News has called for a “proper inquiry” then perhaps the family should request a full written explanation from the Chief Constable as to why they perceive this to be purely a “civil matter”?
As requested by the Worcester News, let’s have some real transparency in this matter.
reflector
says...
7:47pm Tue 2 Oct 12
A pity he didn't make his views known somewhat earlier.
MikeA
says...
8:05pm Tue 2 Oct 12
reflector wrote:Fair comment although I can add that throughout his extended hospital stay preceding the meeting Councillor Tarbuck was consistently unhappy reading the news reports regarding the conduct of Councillor Ditta.
On the face of it, a welcome statement by Councillor Tarbuck but it's easy to say what you might have done or said at a meeting you weren't present at. A pity he didn't make his views known somewhat earlier.
At no time during my many visits did I hear him express any support or defence for Councillor Ditta’s conduct.
MikeA
says...
8:26pm Tue 2 Oct 12
TheIndependentPolitiI do live in the ward of St. Peter’s.
cian wrote:
Councillor Tarbuck's 'Sell by Date' has expired. Time to go Aubrey or resign from the Tories and become an Independent. I don't think you're being very honest with the people. What interest do you have in Worcester that allows you to live in Malvern Hills, which is more than the statutory 3 miles from the City boundary, do you have a rental agreement for property or land in the city?
Party politics aside I regard Councillor Tarbuck to be both honest and sincere.
I regard these qualities to be much more important than location.
He has recently articulated his concerns regarding the financial management of St. Peter’s village hall and without his help it is unlikely that the promised refurbishment of Heather Close play area would have been completed to the promised standard.
RobbieRobster
says...
9:13pm Tue 2 Oct 12
induby
says...
9:35pm Tue 2 Oct 12
what do you mean you found Aubrey Tarbucks comments online and leaked them?
if you look on the other cllr ditta story concerning the no confidence motion he has given a quote literally saying exactly the same thing, its hardly an exclusive!
and to "theindependantpolit
ician" you need help! you have to realise that just because a persons opinion differs from yours, does not give you the green light to personally attack them!, A persons age has no relevance to their opinion and I think it very bad politics to dismiss older peoples views especially when many of those people fought for this country and have served society for more years than you have been alive!
Maggie Would
says...
9:49pm Tue 2 Oct 12
You are right, induby, but the wn didn't pick up on tarbuck's post & Robster pointed it out to them.
I don't think 'leak' is the correct word. Perhaps 'look at that, dafto' is more appropriate.
induby
says...
10:04pm Tue 2 Oct 12
keeneye
says...
10:17pm Tue 2 Oct 12
keeneye
says...
10:17pm Tue 2 Oct 12
MikeA
says...
10:43pm Tue 2 Oct 12
Maggie Would wrote:Would it qualify as a “leak” if it was substantiated that Councillor Simon Geraghty does not regard Tom Edwards as being “helpful”?
'if you look on the other cllr ditta story concerning the no confidence motion he has given a quote literally saying exactly the same thing, its hardly an exclusive!' You are right, induby, but the wn didn't pick up on tarbuck's post & Robster pointed it out to them. I don't think 'leak' is the correct word. Perhaps 'look at that, dafto' is more appropriate.
What might not being “helpful” mean in this case?
What might such a statement imply regarding other WN stories?
I did not personally hear Councillor Simon Geraghty say this to the recipient but the recipient did repeat this to me.
brooksider
says...
9:26am Wed 3 Oct 12
If any other individual acted in the same way, issuing the same threats in a Council owned cemetery, what would happen?
MikeA
says...
10:31am Wed 3 Oct 12
brooksider wrote:Under those circumstances you would expect the Council to report the matter to the Police and / or trading standards for investigation.
A Councillor issues a threat to carry out an illegal action on Council property yet it is deemed he is acting in a private capacity. If any other individual acted in the same way, issuing the same threats in a Council owned cemetery, what would happen?
Truepear
says...
11:26am Wed 3 Oct 12
MikeA
says...
11:58am Wed 3 Oct 12
As this appears to be a “Council owned cemetery” then the Council should be maintaining some oversight regarding the governance and management of this cemetery, and indeed retain an overriding level of responsibility when there are issues and problems.
This is clearly not happening here and it appears that the Council is failing to take any appropriate action, e.g. the investigation and remedy of any potential issues, etc.
At the very least the Council should be able to issue explicit terms of reference regarding all parties in the running of this cemetery – these terms and contracts can be requested if needed invoking the Freedom of Information Act.
Unfortunately Councillor Simon Geraghty is more concerned in retaining his controlling power than good governance and indeed the outrage felt across the entire city regarding this unresolved incident. I know this to be the case as I regard Councillor Aubrey Tarbuck to be a good and honest man.
RobbieRobster
says...
1:03pm Wed 3 Oct 12
Of course the Tories are stymied apropos Aubrey as well: he, like Ditta, holds the balance of power and the Tory sense of entitlement when it comes to power and having it is so all-consuming that normal standards of decency go for a burton and a man who threatens to dig a recently buried family member unless his relatives cough up 400 quid, gets to stay as a City councillor. Mindboggling lack of respect, on all of their parts....
MikeA
says...
6:16pm Wed 3 Oct 12
"What is a rogue trader?
Rogue Traders are criminals. They appear to be professional tradespeople, using printed leaflets and well maintained vehicles but these are used to con consumers. Criminal activities can include fraud, charging high prices for poor work or charging for work that is not done or necessary and in the worst cases, commit burglary.
The criminals concerned will often target and seek out members of society who are vulnerable; often sharing this information with other criminals."
induby
says...
6:29pm Wed 3 Oct 12
ician" yes this is my native country, I am white British, as are my parents, my grandparents, my great grandparents, my great great grand parents, of whom all worked all their lives and served in both world wars, WHY?
induby
says...
6:58pm Wed 3 Oct 12
ician",
you must be squirming with embarrassment today, as your completely incompetent conservative party have made a complete pigs ear of the first group/virgin rail bids, to the total cost to the tax payer of £40 million? especially when we have only just had the whole Andrew Mitchell embarrassment too? its just one incompetent goof after another! ;))))
Maggie Would
says...
11:39am Thu 4 Oct 12
TheIndependentPolitiWhat a bizarre and inappropriate question. I'd be interested to know what prompted you to ask it.
cian wrote:
Induby. Is this your native country?
brooksider
says...
3:02pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Maggie Would wrote:I think it was on basis of Induby's use of English being so superior to his own, he couldn't have possibly been educated in this country.
TheIndependentPolitiWhat a bizarre and inappropriate question. I'd be interested to know what prompted you to ask it.
cian wrote:
Induby. Is this your native country?
induby
says...
6:10pm Thu 4 Oct 12
ician" you really should not become a politician!. You offer no constructive criticism just insults and abuse,
You disregard other peoples opinions because of there background or age.
You do not seem to be able to gage public feeling at all
You are defensive of the most deplorable behaviour.
You have the childish attitude of "it was everybody else's fault".
And don't seem to be able to except any responsibility.
All of these qualities are nothing to proud of and certainly not qualities that someone who wants to work as a public servant should have!.
In fact I would go further to say that you are the epitome of everything that a councillor should not be! A bit like Allah Ditta! .
induby
says...
9:33pm Thu 4 Oct 12
So people go with the party that closest represents there needs or has a particular policy that they feel strongly about.
When it comes to murderer's, I personally think that life should be life, that they should bring back capital punishment for the likes of Ian Bradey or Ian Huntley, I think that prison should be tiny concrete cells with nothing but a mattress and a toilet and they should eat nothing but gruel,and be made to work hard labour, for free, all day.
I think that would deter people from committing crimes and reduce the cost of keeping prisoners quite dramatically.
BUT that's not going to happen because of human rights and besides lots of people feel differently and believe rehabilitation, education, therapy, probation.. is the answer.
The difference between you and I is, I don't dismiss those views/people or feel them less valid than mine, because I disagree, which seems to be exactly what you do!,
If somebody does not agree with your tiring rambling you dismiss them as old or poor or uneducated.
Your politics seem to be bordering/favouring those of a dictatorship!.
Maggie Would
says...
10:17am Fri 5 Oct 12
brooksider wrote:Ha ha!
Maggie Would wrote:I think it was on basis of Induby's use of English being so superior to his own, he couldn't have possibly been educated in this country.
TheIndependentPolitiWhat a bizarre and inappropriate question. I'd be interested to know what prompted you to ask it.
cian wrote:
Induby. Is this your native country?
I wouldn't vote for TheIndependentPoliti
cian, for sure.
induby
says...
11:44am Fri 5 Oct 12
How quickly people forget!
Whilst I agree the Falklands were a success,
Margaret Thatcher had some of the highest unemployment levels in history! she destroyed our industry base, privatised anything that was not nailed down eg railways,water, power and council houses (all of which we are paying for today because there is a lack of council homes record high fuel prices and failed railway bids costing £40 million),she intensified the fight with the IRA, introduced poll tax to an already crippled country, days after she promised no poll tax,finished the mines leaving entire towns and valleys in poverty,started the downfall of the NHS,
I mean really the list goes on and on, the working class of this country were trampled in every possible way under Maggie,whilst the fat cats benefited!
induby
says...
12:22pm Fri 5 Oct 12
induby
says...
12:50pm Fri 5 Oct 12
Voice of the Voyager
says...
1:21pm Fri 5 Oct 12
induby
says...
6:51pm Fri 5 Oct 12
ician"? I will be sure to look out for you in the papers in the next elections, I will be interested to see how you get on.
Lew Smoralz
says...
7:28pm Fri 5 Oct 12
TheIndependentPolitiSorry, but Thatcher was a ring-leader amongst the guilty politicians who spun us a web of lies in the 1975 EEC Referendum.
cian wrote:
We need another Benevolent Dictator, like Margaret Thatcher. Just a short period to redress a few balances. She shafted the international terrorists taking over London based embassies and kicked the Argies where it hurt the most. It's no use having all these conflicting views, it's a recipe for inaction and maintains that status quo that Nothing changes. So, dictatorship ( but benevolent) may well be the answer. However, that's what we have now with the lying, cheating, two faced politicians. They dictate by dressing up their language but then delivering legislation that doesn't benefit the masses. Give me the job of Home Secretary and I'll reduce the prison population by 80%.
I believe it was a majority obtained by fraud, and Thatcher was one of the guilty, scheming politicians who lied through their back-teeth to con us that there was such a thing as a Common Market. It never existed it was always a customs union with the declared intent of ever closer political union!
Thatcher may have realised her error in later years, but she will go down in history as one of the deceivers who conned the British public into the worst thing thing that has happened to us in my lifetime!
MikeA
says...
7:35pm Fri 5 Oct 12
The clear implication from Mr Lankester’s letter is that WORCESTER CITY COUNCIL had failed to ensure that appropriate agreements were in place or were not fit for purpose.
Mr Lankester’s letter together with the summary as published today by PRIVATE EYE would appear to offer the family a fairly straightforward case and complaint to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT OMBUDSMAN against WORCESTER CITY COUNCIL for maladministration contributing to and being the root cause resulting in their distress.
The clear implication from Mr Lankester’s letter is that maladministration on the part of WORCESTER CITY COUNCIL has allowed undue ambiguity and potentially unwarranted demands.
There can be no doubt that Councillor Allah Ditta has acted in a menacing manner.
induby
says...
7:45pm Fri 5 Oct 12
MikeA
says...
7:53pm Fri 5 Oct 12
induby wrote:Councillor Tarbuck and I assume that Councillor Geraghty will be looking for a new team of plumbers.
"MikeA" ,has this been brought to the attention of WN ? as we wouldn't want it getting "leaked" again lol :)
:-)
pronstar
says...
12:38am Sat 6 Oct 12
TheIndependentPolitiYou've shown your true colours there Adolf
cian wrote:
Ed Millibands woeful garbage about one nation, Cameron's laughable nonsense and Nick Clegg's double standards. None of the parties, not even the gadflys in UKIP are capable of giving real leadership of the kind that's needed right now. I'd put the British Army (loyal to the Monarch) in control of the running of Britain and then elect ordinary members of the public into parliament without any commercial interests whatsoever. Labour has failed miserably as have the other mainstream parties. They are all corrupt and shambolic.
induby
says...
8:55am Sat 6 Oct 12
ATOR!,
Unless your a woman!, he does not think women should be able to vote. So he wont be needing "your" support.
Or old people... you guys have apparently "passed your sell by date" so he wont be wanting your votes either.
In fact he has quite a few issues with people, so it might be best to ask him if your worthy of voting for him first.
But if your names Allah Ditta your a shoo in!
Maggie Would
says...
10:09am Sat 6 Oct 12
TheIndependentPolitiThat's a very good way of endearing yourself to half of the electorate, the vast majority of whom are more articulate, more intelligent, and better at basic spelling and grammar than you appear to be.
cian wrote:
Today you won't, but being a woman, your mood will change. Richard VanHoogstraten was right. Giving women the vote was the worst thing that could have happened in history.
Watch you don't lose your deposit.
MikeA
says...
11:01am Sat 6 Oct 12
“Peace, like charity, begins at home.”
MikeA
says...
11:25am Sat 6 Oct 12
TheIndependentPolitiCouncillor Ditta has been exposed behaving like a Rogue Trader.
cian wrote:
If your names Allah Ditta he should be judged on his passed record of representation of the people, not on a snapshot of an event that has all the hallmarks of a financial dispute at a Muslim burial ground. It would be interesting to know what Harris from Wyldes Lane thinks about this issue? He is a key player in this matter and he and the other elders, despite the Worcester Labour Party's naked power struggle ambitions, are the people who will decide what should happen. My guess is that the voters of Wylds Lane, the communities know exactly what the real truth is and have a dim view of Labour's pitiful attempts at divide and rule!!!!! Induby - tell that to the Old Labour Socialists who are pulling your strings.
Rogue Traders are criminals.
They often target and seek out members of society who are vulnerable.
The Worcester News called for a “proper inquiry” and “full transparency” but this has apparently not happened.
Until a full and proper inquiry is conducted our city is being represented by somebody that has demonstrated the hallmarks of a Rogue Trader.
Maggie Would
says...
11:38am Sat 6 Oct 12
TheIndependentPolitiActually, none. I made the same enquiry myself some months ago of Murray Kelso and he assured me that WN staff have better things to do (unlike us lot). I have a lot of respect for Murray and I believed him.
cian wrote:
I wonder how many genuine reader/writers there are on here and how many of the Worcester News staff write in this forum to boost what is otherwise a very dull website. They should set up a professional digital media department and bring their products into the modern publishing world.0
In fact, unless a post is actually reported, they rarely look at the comments, which is why it took an online reader to point out to them that Aubrey Tarbuck had made the comments that he did.
MikeA
says...
12:15pm Sat 6 Oct 12
Maggie Would wrote:Perhaps I should add that Councillor Tarbuck insisted that I post his comments and position online regarding Councillor Ditta.
TheIndependentPoliti cian wrote: I wonder how many genuine reader/writers there are on here and how many of the Worcester News staff write in this forum to boost what is otherwise a very dull website. They should set up a professional digital media department and bring their products into the modern publishing world.0Actually, none. I made the same enquiry myself some months ago of Murray Kelso and he assured me that WN staff have better things to do (unlike us lot). I have a lot of respect for Murray and I believed him. In fact, unless a post is actually reported, they rarely look at the comments, which is why it took an online reader to point out to them that Aubrey Tarbuck had made the comments that he did.
Councillor Tarbuck was deeply concerned that the city should know his views in this matter.
I then immediately phoned Tom Edwards and sent him an email at the Worcester News.
I then regarded the matter as closed but was then surprised to see this story appear in the paper.
Councillor Tarbuck remains in great discomfort following his recent knee operation.
induby
says...
12:53pm Sat 6 Oct 12
ician",
At first I thought your rants were comical and I enjoyed winding you up.
But I am starting to get genuinely concerned for your mental health.
Your rants are sounding confused and deluded and if your writing is anything to go by you seem to be becoming almost extremist.
I am for want of a better word "unsettled".
induby
says...
1:16pm Sat 6 Oct 12
MikeA
says...
1:30pm Sat 6 Oct 12
TheIndependentPolitiIf it has been your intent to defend Councillor Ditta then you have gone about it in completely the wrong manner.
cian wrote:
Induby - just keep voting for the status quo and you'll be fine. Good luck for the future. I won't be standing again, I'm too old, haven't got enough money, haven't had a 3% share of the vote to qualify to speak at a Worcester News hustings event or live on BBC Hereford and Worcester, am not on the agreed candidates list, don't match the liberal profile that modern politicians have to adhere too. Wasn't educated at Eton or Oxbridge blah, blah, blah. Mental state is good. Anger is high, but contained. Will concentrate on being a multi millionaire publisher and buy up the Worcester News one day!! Lol...... Once again good luck. Ditta isn't a bad man. It takes real guts to stand as a councillor and it invades your whole life. Perhaps you should try it?!
If Councillor Ditta is honourable and respectable then he would also be calling for a “proper inquiry” with “full transparency”.
MikeA
says...
1:45pm Sat 6 Oct 12
TheIndependentPolitiThe sun is still shining, if you can please take a few hours to enjoy it.
cian wrote:
Are you under or over 30? Just interested. The under 30's are the hardest to communicate with - politically, that's why the Millibands use platitudes to communicate.
induby
says...
1:45pm Sat 6 Oct 12
And really do I strike you as being so naive that simple platitudes would be sufficient arguments to gain my vote?
Maggie Would
says...
3:12pm Sat 6 Oct 12
brooksider
says...
3:48pm Sat 6 Oct 12
Maggie Would wrote:Snigger.
Is that a promise?
Maggie Would
says...
3:53pm Sat 6 Oct 12
Lew Smoralz
says...
8:27pm Sat 6 Oct 12
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