Hounslow Council Leader 'Unaware' of Colleague's Legal Difficulties
Shantanu Rajawat says he first learned of Hina Mir case through press reports
Cllr Shantanu Rajawat (left) and Cllr Hina Mir (right)
December 22, 2025
Hounslow Council’s leader has claimed he had no idea that one of his senior councillors had been found to employ an illegal worker earlier this year.
In January, a civil court ruled against Councillor Hina Mir, a now-suspended Labour Party member, for employing a woman as a nanny in her home, who was not permitted to work in the UK. She also paid the illegal worker below minimum wage.
Cllr Mir, who represents Feltham West, was fined £40,000, and in early December failed in her attempt to have this fine overturned, which brought to light the previous ruling. A source close to Hounslow Labour claims that the Council Leader, Cllr Shantanu Rajawat, and other senior members knew about the case. However, this is something vehemently denied by Cllr Rajawat.
Since the hearing, several media outlets have reported on the ruling, however Cllr Rajawat insists it was not until the reporting that he, or anyone else in Hounslow Labour, became aware of the ruling initially made in January. The LDRS asked how it was possible that he and the entire Labour group were unaware at a time when journalists were aware.
He said, “I don’t necessarily have an answer for that, except to say once we know about something like that happening, we will take action or the [Labour] party will take action. We’re a large group.
“And there is a number of people there, so we rely on people self-referring. With the best will in the world, as much as I’d love to sit there and search through court papers and stuff, it’s just not possible for us to do.”
Cllr Mir was suspended by the Labour Party on 9 December, following the ruling made at the City of London County Court that the fine would not be overturned. However, she remains a serving councillor and is still Chair of the Housing and Environment Scrutiny Panel. She has not been convicted of a criminal offence in relation to the issue.
Cllr Rajawat was asked why it is that Cllr Farhaan Rehman was effectively forced to resign his chairmanship of the Licensing Committee after it emerged that he parked a Lamborghini in a disabled bay without a blue badge, yet Cllr Mir retains her committee role which gives her an additional £7,089 a year as a special responsibility allowance.
Cllr Mir was also found to have parked in a disabled bay without a blue badge just days after the LDRS revealed Cllr Rehman had done the same. According to Cllr Rajawat, it is for technical reasons that she has not been compelled to resign her role as Chair.
“There is a subtle difference between Cllr Rehman’s position and Cllr [Mir’s] position, and it is more a technicality than anything else in so far as Cllr Rehman was appointed by me as Chair of Licensing whereas Hina is elected by council – scrutiny is completely independent of the executive.”
Cllr Mir has not issued a public apology for parking in a disabled bay, whereas Cllr Rehman did. Cllr Rehman also made a voluntary £160 donation to charity.
Cllr Rajawat says Cllr Mir is also going to make a £160 donation to charity. In Hounslow, parking in a disabled bay without a blue badge usually triggers a £160 fine for members of the public.
A Hounslow Labour spokesperson previously confirmed it had suspended Cllr Mir, adding, “We do not comment on any internal investigations.”
Cllr Mir said in response, “I would like to confirm my KC and legal team is [sic] dealing with this matter and we are challenging the decision on civil penalty at county court.
“I hope you will understand that there is a lot of misinformation on media, I have dedicated many years of my life in serving others in different ways i.e. food bank, supporting charities locally, nationally and internationally or by giving time at local Citizen’s Advice Bureau and church to support residents, I would love to carry on supporting others with respect and dignity. I remain fully committed to my role and responsibilities in serving the residents of Hounslow.”
Philip James Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter
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