Barnet Council Finance Chief Faces Scrutiny Over False UCL Professorship Claim
Ammar Naqvi, the cabinet member for finance at Barnet Council, is embroiled in controversy following revelations that his claimed association with University College London (UCL) Medical School was fabricated. Naqvi, who listed himself as an “Associate Professor” at the prestigious institution on his council register of interests, has now been confirmed by UCL to have never held any position at the university. This revelation has sparked calls for a thorough investigation into the matter, with concerns raised about the accuracy and integrity of public declarations made by elected officials. The discrepancy came to light after the Barnet Post, a local news outlet, noticed inconsistencies in Naqvi’s register of interests. An earlier version of the document, seen by the Post, included the UCL affiliation, which was subsequently removed in an updated version published in November.
The Barnet Post’s investigation began last month after receiving a tip-off about the alteration to Naqvi’s register of interests. The newspaper contacted both UCL and the Barnet Labour group, of which Naqvi is a member, seeking clarification. UCL unequivocally denied any association with Naqvi after internal checks, stating that they could not find any record of him ever being employed by the Medical School. Initially, Barnet Council attributed the discrepancy to an "oversight," claiming that Naqvi had worked at UCL between 2016 and 2019 and that the entry’s removal was merely an administrative correction made during a routine update. However, further inquiries by the Barnet Post, providing more specific details about Naqvi’s claimed roles, led UCL to reiterate their initial denial, stating they could find no records matching his name.
Following UCL’s second denial, the Barnet Post approached the Barnet Labour group again for clarification. The group provided a letter from Professor Muhammad Amer Mian, principal of Central Medical College in Lahore, Pakistan, stating that Naqvi had worked there from 2016 to 2019. This revelation not only failed to address the UCL claim but also introduced a new layer of complexity, as there is no known affiliation between Central Medical College and UCL Medical School. The Barnet Post, now convinced of the fabrication, confronted Naqvi, who is reportedly considering his position on the council. Barnet Council has yet to respond to further requests for comment following the revelation of the Central Medical College employment.
The incident has triggered calls for a formal investigation into Naqvi’s conduct. Peter Zinkin, leader of the Barnet Conservative group, expressed concerns about the nature of the discrepancy and the potential legal implications of providing false information on a register of interests. He emphasized the importance of accurate declarations, particularly for elected officials, and called for a thorough investigation to determine the full extent of the misrepresentation. The controversy raises serious questions about the transparency and accountability of local government officials and the processes for verifying information provided in registers of interests. The incident underscores the crucial role of local media in holding public figures accountable and ensuring the integrity of local governance.
The unfolding scandal surrounding Cllr Naqvi’s false claim of employment at UCL Medical School has significant implications for public trust in local government. The incident highlights the vulnerability of the system to misrepresentation and the need for more robust verification procedures. While the council initially attributed the discrepancy to an oversight, the subsequent revelation of Naqvi’s actual employment at Central Medical College in Pakistan raises serious doubts about the veracity of their initial explanation. The fact that Naqvi’s false claim remained on his register of interests for a considerable period of time also raises concerns about the effectiveness of the council’s oversight mechanisms.
The call for an investigation by the opposition Conservative group is a necessary step towards restoring public confidence. A thorough and impartial investigation is essential to determine the full extent of the misrepresentation and to identify any potential weaknesses in the council’s procedures. Furthermore, the investigation should also explore the motivations behind Naqvi’s false claim and determine whether any disciplinary action is warranted. The outcome of the investigation will have significant implications not only for Naqvi’s political future but also for the overall credibility of Barnet Council. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in public office and the crucial role of the media in holding elected officials to account.