Neil Wilby Media

It’s been said many times here on this Neil Wilby Media website: There’s never a dull moment in politics in a famous old East Lancashire mill town.

Much of it centred around a notorious, Bradford-born conspiracy theorist who hasn’t lived in Oldham since 2004 and, so it is, with the latest drama that unfolded yesterday evening:

In a statement posted on several Facebook pages associated with three independent councillors who sit on Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, that same controversial figure, who has dominated the political scene locally for over four years, was roundly denounced:

“Raja Miah MBE

“Whilst we recognise the work he has done regarding CSE. We can no longer be associated with Raja’s increasingly offensive rhetoric and divisive methods.

“Therefore, as a group, we have taken the decision to disassociate from his activities with immediate effect.

“We will therefore no longer engage with or discuss any matters relating to Raja Miah MBE from this point onwards.

“We will continue to prioritise CSE and fight for both justice and accountability for victims and their families.

“THE INDEPENDENT GROUP (TIG) was formed to bring a collective voice to local independent groups within OMBC. By working collectively on shared objectives, we can achieve positive outcomes.

“CARE LOCAL? THINK INDEPENDENT!

“ROYTON SOUTH, SHAW and CROMPTON, FAILSWORTH WEST.”

It is a curiosity that none of the three TIG councillors put their name to the missive: Cllr Maggie Hurley (Royton Independents), Cllr Marc Hince (Shaw and Crompton Independents) and Cllr Sandra Ball (Failsworth West Independents). Even more so, as all three owe their places on the Council to Raja Miah (pictured above) orchestrated campaigns in their localities that smeared their Labour opponents or the Party, and its leadership, more generally, with his offensive rhetoric and divisive methods.

This follows a spectacular falling out with the Failsworth Independent Party (FIP) prior to the May, 2023 local elections. Led by long-term Miah acolyte, Cllr Brian Hobin, FIP hold all three seats in Failsworth’s East Ward.

This leaves Raja with just two allies in the civic chamber, Conservative Party councillors, Lewis Quigg and Dave Arnott, whom both represent the Royton North ward. Cllr Quigg, in particular, is another elected representative who owes his seat entirely to a Miah smear campaign, run via his various and frequently banned Recusant Nine social media channels.

Frustrated by the almost total lack of support for his campaign to be the next MP in the Oldham West and Royton constituency, he has lashed out at those whom he feels should be repaying their election debts. The treacherous, back-stabbing response from TIG must have come as a shock to his system and, much more importantly to Raja Miah, his bank balance, as his subscribers and donors continue to ebb away.

His only response so far has been an enigmatic Recusant Nine Facebook post put up in the early hours of this morning:

“Whoever is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in big things too. – Luke 16:10”

UPDATE: Raja Miah has issued an interim response via his Recusant Nine Telegram channel:

“I will share my response to the TIG statement on Sunday evening. I will share what I have with you. As with all previous instances with those who have tried to attack me and portray me as a liar, I will present the evidence and leave it to you to make your mind up”.

“Following TIGs statement Marc Hince emailed me threatening me with legal action should I make public specifics. Whilst I ahem no issue with him, despite everything, like everyone else, he should know by now threatening me will not make any difference with me. There’s a queue lad, I suggest you join the back of it and wait your turn.”

Follow Neil Wilby on Twitter (here) and Neil Wilby Media on Facebook (here) for signposts to any updates.

Page last updated: Wednesday 27th September, 2023 at 17h25

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