It’s been quite a year for Robert John Fairbank Barnes. Born, brought up, educated and spending his entire career in Leeds, working for the City Council, before retiring in 2021. Twelve months ago, he was campaigning to be elected to Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council in their Chadderton South ward. A perennial failure, he had previouslyContinue reading “Controversial Tory councillor back in the headlines again”
Tag Archives: Arooj Shah
Tory revolt over controversial councillor’s future role
A controversial Conservative councillor, who owes his seat on Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council almost entirely to a grotesque smear campaign against his main opponent, faces losing his Party nomination for the ‘all-out’ elections in May, 2023. Cllr Robert Barnes, who presently represents the Chadderton South ward, narrowly ousted the former Labour and Council Leader, AroojContinue reading “Tory revolt over controversial councillor’s future role”
‘Private Pike’ to face court martial?
A rookie Conservative councillor, nicknamed ‘Private Pike’ in Oldham’s civic chamber, who has spent much of the last year denying that he is linked to a notorious Tameside-based conspiracy theorist, has eventually revealed his true colours. Cllr Dave Arnott, whom, purportedly, represents the Royton North ward since he was narrowly elected in May, 2021, enthusiasticallyContinue reading “‘Private Pike’ to face court martial?”
‘Boots’ brought to heel
Following an exclusive posted here on Neil Wilby Media on 27th November, 2022, headlined ‘Will Boots toe the line over doctor’s remedy’, an open letter has been posted on a Facebook page, a short time ago, by the principal subject of that article, a local entertainer and spectacularly failed politician by the name of PaulContinue reading “‘Boots’ brought to heel”
Bungling Borough Solicitor blamed for Bardoc blunder
One of the biggest controversies to spill out of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council in this municipal year has been an alleged smear campaign waged against one of its most prominent and best known politicians. It has led to a flurry of legal letters and ferocious arguments waged on social media, and in the local press,Continue reading “Bungling Borough Solicitor blamed for Bardoc blunder”
Ex-Council Leader lands national Labour role
Arooj Shah, who lost her council seat and Leadership role in controversial circumstances at the Oldham Metropolitan Borough elections last May, continues her rise up the ranks in the Labour Party. Universally popular, and widely admired for her dedication, loyalty, hard work and pragmatism, Arooj has been appointed as Chair of the National Constitutional CommitteeContinue reading “Ex-Council Leader lands national Labour role”
Two year journey nears end of the road
An invitation from a well-known police whistleblower to look into what he claimed was serious police and council wrongdoing in the famous old East Lancashire mill town of Oldham first came in or around October, 2019, writes Neil Wilby. Peter Jackson, a retired detective chief inspector popularly known as ‘Jacko’, and I, had worked successfullyContinue reading “Two year journey nears end of the road”
Mystery of the ‘missing’ councillor?
A firebrand Conservative councillor in Oldham whom, after a number of unsuccessful attempts, finally won a seat in the civic chamber by displacing the then Leader of the Council, Arooj Shah, in the Chadderton South ward, is at the centre of more local controversy. A widely criticised election campaign was run by Robert Barnes inContinue reading “Mystery of the ‘missing’ councillor?”
Journalism is not a popularity contest – but this abuse is absolutely off the scale
As an investigative journalist, an essential requirement is to develop a thick skin and the ability shrug off both criticism and resistance to what is being probed, writes Neil Wilby. Particularly, from subjects of those enquiries and their circle of friends and associates who may feel threatened by what may, potentially, be exposed. This can,Continue reading “Journalism is not a popularity contest – but this abuse is absolutely off the scale”
‘Public nuisance’ set to defy Council ASBI warning
News of the unedifying scenes of public disorder that marred the last two meetings of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council has, regrettably, spread far wider than the boundaries of the famous old East Lancashire mill town (read more here). The Council has, in line with a promise made by its new Leader, Cllr Amanda Chadderton (readContinue reading “‘Public nuisance’ set to defy Council ASBI warning”
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