Shadow Secretary Resigns From Post Over Son’s Drugs Conviction
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By Ben Kerrigan
A Labour Shadow frontbencher has quit her role to “support family” after events surrounding her son’s drugs conviction came to light
Shadow international development secretary Kate Osamor has stepped down following the revelation which was reported to Parliament’s standards watchdog. Her son Ishmael Osamor let her down in a big way, but the Labour Secretary took no actions to discipline her son following the embarrassing revelations of criminal behaviour. Ms Osamor is said to have been suffering the huge embarrassment of actions taken by her son who previously worked for Haringey Council
“I remain fully committed to our programme for creating a society that works for the many, not the privileged few, and will continue to campaign for this from the backbenches,” Ms Osamor added.Ms Osamor’s position became untenable after questioned she continued to employ her son as a communications officer after he resigned as a local councillor following the drug bust. She was expected to immediately dismiss him, but put family loyalties above professional expectations .
Ishmael Osamor was caught attempting to take ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and cannabis into a festival in August 2017 – nine months before he was elected as a councillor for Haringey.
Caught red handed: Ishmael Osamor Image: Harringey Council
Following his conviction he resigned from his cabinet post on the council. The times newspaper reported that Kate Osamor had written to the trial court judge asking for leniency and stressing her son’s remorse.
The Times obtained the letters after it made an application to the court.Her son, Ishmael Osamor, is also listed as employed as a senior communication officer in her parliamentary office.
Ms Osamor was also exposed by the Times for lacking decorum in the face of a reporter told a reporter who approached her for a comment at her home this week. She reportedly told the reporter she “should have come down here with a bat and smashed your face in”.
She allegedly told him to “f*** off” before throwing a bucket of water on him and calling police. She will remain in Parliament as a backbencher, but more will be expected of her conduct and professionalism.
