Author Topic: 'Lord Ahmed retires from Parliament days before expulsion'  (Read 783 times)

Nearly Sane

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The Accountant, OBE, KC

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Re: 'Lord Ahmed retires from Parliament days before expulsion'
« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2020, 08:03:51 PM »
In a statement, Lord Ahmed told Newsnight: “I completely deny the allegation that I have exploited my position to pursue an inappropriate relationship with any member of the public (vulnerable or otherwise) or that I have acted inappropriately in the presence of women either in my personal or professional capacity.

Ms Zaman (43) and Lord Ahmed (who was married) appear to have had a consensual sexual relationship. However Zaman said: “I was looking for help and he took advantage of me. He abused his power.”

The Commissioner noted: “I find that Lord Ahmed exploited Ms Zaman emotionally and sexually even though he knew she was receiving treatment for anxiety and depression.”

The Code of Conduct states behaviour that amounts to bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct is a breach of this Code. The outcome of Lord Ahmed's breach of the Code of Conduct is interesting given Priti Patel is found to have also breached the Code's  requirement for treating people with respect and courtesy.

It is also interesting in relation to the discussion in the thread on whether casual sex is immoral.
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Robbie

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Re: 'Lord Ahmed retires from Parliament days before expulsion'
« Reply #2 on: November 19, 2020, 09:39:24 PM »
It seems Lord Ahmed seriously misread the situation. I'm not sticking up for him but I doubt he considered her vulnerable at the time.

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The Accountant, OBE, KC

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Re: 'Lord Ahmed retires from Parliament days before expulsion'
« Reply #3 on: November 19, 2020, 10:17:40 PM »
It seems Lord Ahmed seriously misread the situation. I'm not sticking up for him but I doubt he considered her vulnerable at the time.
Yes - I'm left not knowing what to think without any objective evidence one way or the other.
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Udayana

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Re: 'Lord Ahmed retires from Parliament days before expulsion'
« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2020, 12:36:49 PM »
He has been involved in a number of accusations/questionable incidents. Due to come up in a trial at some point?
 
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Robbie

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Re: 'Lord Ahmed retires from Parliament days before expulsion'
« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2020, 06:07:01 PM »
I didn't know he had previous, had never heard of him before this.
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The Accountant, OBE, KC

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Re: 'Lord Ahmed retires from Parliament days before expulsion'
« Reply #6 on: November 20, 2020, 08:58:29 PM »
I suppose the issue is how apparent was it that she was not capable of consenting to a relationship based on the severity of her depression and anxiety.

If she was functioning well enough and only felt exploited after the relationship broke up I am not sure how a man can be considered to have exploited his position by pursuing an extra-marital relationship, considering Boris is with Carrie. Seems like double standards to me. If a man is held responsible for a woman's bad judgement it is treating women like children - we might as well forget about equality or women being able to function independently or hold positions of responsibility where they need to use their judgement. I am starting to wonder if Ms Zamen needs to be locked up at home for her own safety and not let out without a brother or a father to accompany her in case she gets "exploited" again?
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Udayana

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Re: 'Lord Ahmed retires from Parliament days before expulsion'
« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2020, 11:21:48 AM »
I suppose the issue is how apparent was it that she was not capable of consenting to a relationship based on the severity of her depression and anxiety.

No, it's nothing to do with how capable she was of consenting or not.

Quote
If she was functioning well enough and only felt exploited after the relationship broke up I am not sure how a man can be considered to have exploited his position by pursuing an extra-marital relationship, considering Boris is with Carrie. Seems like double standards to me. If a man is held responsible for a woman's bad judgement it is treating women like children - we might as well forget about equality or women being able to function independently or hold positions of responsibility where they need to use their judgement. I am starting to wonder if Ms Zamen needs to be locked up at home for her own safety and not let out without a brother or a father to accompany her in case she gets "exploited" again?

Codes and rules are in place to avoid harassment and exploitation of people when they are looking for help or advice, or by colleagues at work or, in education, by staff, and so on...
It is not wanted anywhere, but needs especially strict enforcement in some environments.
 
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The Accountant, OBE, KC

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Re: 'Lord Ahmed retires from Parliament days before expulsion'
« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2020, 12:44:06 PM »
No, it's nothing to do with how capable she was of consenting or not.

Codes and rules are in place to avoid harassment and exploitation of people when they are looking for help or advice, or by colleagues at work or, in education, by staff, and so on...
It is not wanted anywhere, but needs especially strict enforcement in some environments.
Yes I would accept that if he had harassed her and she had complained or broken off contact. Instead she chose to go to his house of her own free will since he was not in a position of power over her, then apparently fell into bed with him and then she seems to have only felt exploited and harassed when he broke the affair off because he would not leave his wife. That's not being exploited and harassed - that's a woman who made a bad judgement and then wanted revenge because she did not get her way. If he had left his wife for her she would not be complaining about feeling exploited - but that's the risk you take when you have an affair with a married man. He's a sleaze and so is she unless she was suffering from mental health issues and should not have been allowed out unsupervised to make decisions about her sexual autonomy.

And I think it's unfair to change the wording on the HoL code of conduct and then apply it retrospectively to this case.   
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Robbie

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Re: 'Lord Ahmed retires from Parliament days before expulsion'
« Reply #9 on: November 21, 2020, 02:07:05 PM »
Fair post Gabriella (I refuse to refer to you as 'violent' - or do you have temper tantrums  ;)).
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