Independent MP Ayoub Khan has disclosed a harrowing personal story, revealing he was once compelled to kill a dog with his bare hands to save the life of a baby.
A Heart-Wrenching Decision
The member for Birmingham Perry Barr explained that he was forced to physically restrain the animal to protect the infant from a serious mauling. Khan stated he had no alternative but to act, as the baby was in immediate danger. He shared this deeply personal account during the inaugural conference for the new left-wing political group, Your Party, which was held in Liverpool.
‘It was either a baby being mauled or restraining the dog. Unfortunately, during the process, the dog lost its life,’ Khan told Politics Home. He emphasised the tragic nature of the event, adding, ‘But it was either a baby or a dog, and nobody was intending to kill anyone, but just trying to protect the baby.’ The MP reiterated that his sole intention was protection, not harm, saying, ‘I didn’t intend to kill anybody. But yeah… The dog died as a result of me trying to protect the baby.’
Chaos at Your Party Launch
The revelation was made against a backdrop of disarray for the new political movement. The conference, held at the ACC in Liverpool, was overshadowed by internal disputes, including the very public boycott announced by co-founder Zarah Sultana.
Khan, who helped form the Independent Alliance and has been part of the founding process for Your Party, commented on one of the key controversies: the blocking of members from a different socialist movement. ‘I understand the reasoning behind that is, if you’re affiliated to another political party, unless you revoke that membership and join another membership, it is one that makes common sense to me,’ he said.
The fledgling party, which currently operates under the temporary name ‘Your Party’, also saw two members of its parliamentary group—Iqbal Mohamed and Adnan Hussain—step away in the days leading up to the conference. Khan expressed his regret, noting he had a ‘fabulous relationship’ with both and hopes for their return. ‘We have a fabulous relationship, a very strong relationship. I’d like to see them come back and never say never, is my view,’ he stated.
What's Next for the New Party?
Despite the rocky start, party members are set to debate an official name this weekend. The four options under consideration are Your Party, Our Party, For the Many, and Popular Alliance. The group was initially launched by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, though Sultana's post on X announcing the party in July was widely believed to have caught Corbyn off guard, setting the stage for subsequent public disagreements.
