A Conservative candidate who was suspended for allegedly making offensive social media posts, including suggesting an MP should be 'bullied back to Pakistan', has been elected to Harrow Council. Will Jackson secured a seat in the North Harrow ward despite an ongoing investigation by the Conservative Party into comments linked to his account.
Election Outcome
Cllr Jackson won one of two seats in North Harrow, receiving 1,230 votes. He stood alongside Conservative candidate Cllr Anola Savjani, who also won a seat. The Conservative Party had suspended Jackson and withdrawn support for his campaign, but his name remained on the ballot paper under the Conservative banner.
Party Response
A Conservative Party spokesman stated: “During this investigation, he is not permitted to join the Conservative Group on Harrow Council. The Conservative Party’s disciplinary process is rightly confidential and we will not be providing a running commentary.” The party confirmed that Jackson “remains suspended” while the investigation continues.
Alleged Social Media Posts
The account associated with Jackson reportedly replied to British-born MP Zarah Sultana, calling to “abolish all foreign MPs”. It also suggested Independent MP Ayoub Khan should “go back to Pakistan” and referred to MP Adnan Hussain as “Islamist scum”, adding that he “should be deported”. In other posts, the account called Hussain “the Pakistani MP” and said he should “bully you back to Pakistan”.
Reaction from Labour
Leader of Harrow Labour, Cllr David Perry, expressed disappointment that Labour candidates James Watkins and Sechi Kailasa lost in North Harrow. He said: “While Labour candidates were talking to residents and raising issues with the council, the Conservative candidate was more interested in posting harmful and bigoted content online about Harrow’s diverse communities.”
Other Suspended Candidate
Another Conservative candidate, Nathan Smith, who was also suspended for alleged offensive social media posts, failed to win his seat in West Harrow, losing to two Labour candidates.
Overall Election Results
The Conservatives increased their majority on Harrow Council, winning 42 of 55 seats, a gain of 11. Labour won only 12 seats, half its 2022 count. The new political party Arise won its first seat, with Pamela Fitzpatrick elected in Marlborough ward alongside Cllr Perry and Labour’s Varsha Parmar.
