August 17, 2009

Kill threat to Birmingham councillor

A man appeared in court yesterday [Saturday] charged with threatening to kill a Birmingham councillor.

Stuart Collins, 48, of Birmingham, appeared before city magistrates over claims abusive threats were sent to Respect councillor Salma Yaqoob.

She is the councillor for Sparkbrook and her party’s national leader.

A West Midlands Police spokesman confirmed: “Following an investigation, a 48 year-old has been charged with racially aggravated harassment, religiously aggravated harassment and making threats to kill. He appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court and was bailed until August 31.”

Coun Yaqoob chairs the anti-war movement in Birmingham and is an active pro-Palestinian campaigner. She is an outspoken commentator on Muslim issues, and regularly appears on TV and radio current affairs programmes.

After standing as a Respect candidate in the 2005 election, she was elected in the Sparkbrook ward in the 2006 local elections.

Sunday Mercury

3 comments:

Brummie said...

For those who don't know Salma, she is in my opinion worth more than all the other B'ham councillors put together! She is a dedicated champion of the underdog and the socially disadvantaged here and she actually has a good and 100% genuine heart. Plus she helps to portray the positive side of a faith constantly vilified by the media, and the role of women therein, something else the media cover one-sidedly.

I do not believe there is a place here for intolerant people, it's our multi-ethnic make up that makes us the unique city that we are!!

James Duggan said...

Salma is a star, the guy must've been on his meds or BNP-chip-on-choulder type..

Unknown said...

im white non religous have many muslim friends
and i have hgeard salma yaqoobs speeches and stuff wow she amazing

Salma Yaqoob for prim eminister of engand be anazing