Hounslow Council has fallen into no overall control after Labour suspended councillor Gurbachan Singh Athwal following a fraud charge linked to his former role at a major Sikh charity in Southall.
Labour has lost its majority on Hounslow Council after a serving councillor was suspended from the party following a charge of fraud by abuse of position.
Gurbachan Singh Athwal, 75, of Southall, who represents Heston East, was charged on 25 September following a Metropolitan Police investigation into his former role as treasurer of Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall.
The charity manages two of Southall's largest Sikh gurdwaras.
Athwal was subsequently stripped of the Labour whip on Tuesday, 6 October, leaving the party with 31 of the council's 62 seats.
As a result, Hounslow Council is now classified as being under no overall control, with Labour operating as a minority administration.
Investigation into former charity role
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Athwal was charged with fraud by abuse of position following an investigation into a position he held as treasurer of the community organisation between 2014 and 2022.
He was interviewed voluntarily by detectives in October 2025 before being charged through a postal requisition on 25 September 2026.
Athwal is due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 27 October.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
Councillor responds to allegations
Following his suspension, Athwal denied wrongdoing and said he was cooperating with the legal process.
He said:
"These allegations are part of a concerted effort to defame me. I am participating fully in the process of clearing my name."
Athwal said he accepted Labour's decision to suspend him administratively while proceedings continue, to avoid distracting from the party's work.
He added that he would continue supporting the Labour Party and local administration while fulfilling his responsibilities to residents.
Conservatives call for council changes to be paused
The loss of Labour's majority has prompted calls from opposition councillors for the administration to reconsider proposed constitutional changes.
Jack Emsley, leader of Hounslow Conservatives, said the council should pause plans that his party believes would reduce scrutiny of the administration.
He argued that Labour no longer has a mandate to make such changes unilaterally now that it operates without an overall majority.
Wider political implications across London
The development represents another setback for Labour's control of local government in the capital.
According to the Evening Standard, Labour now controls 11 of London's 32 boroughs, compared with 21 before May's local elections.
Hounslow's change in political status means the Labour administration will need support from councillors outside its group to secure a majority on decisions requiring a council vote.
Athwal remains a serving councillor for Heston East despite losing the Labour whip.
His first court appearance is scheduled for 27 October.
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