Disgraced ex-Mayor Lutfur Rahman could be struck off as a lawyer

Ousted mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman could be struck off as a lawyer after being found guilty of corrupt and illegal practices by an election court.

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal will hear a case against the disgraced politician following allegations made by the Solicitors Regulation Authority that could ban him from practicing law.

Mr Rahman was thrown out of office in April last year after election judge Richard Mawrey QC found him guilty of illegal and corrupt practices, declaring his re-election in May 2014 void and banning him from running for mayor.

In a statement released today, the SDT said: “This is an independent tribunal which will reach its own decision after considering all the evidence, including any evidence put forward by the solicitor.

“The tribunal has certified that there is a case to answer in respect of [the] allegations.”

Mr Rahman has always maintained his innocence, denying all charges.

If the tribunal finds against Mr Rahman it could slap him with an unlimited fine or strike him off as a solicitor.

A date for the hearing will be decided this week.

Mr Rahman was brought before the election court at the High Court last year after four residents petitioned against his conduct during the 2014 mayoral election in Tower Hamlets.

In November he declared himself bankrupt after being ordered to pay court costs to the petitioners.