Ayoub Khan is a British independent politician and barrister who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Birmingham Perry Barr since 2024.[1][2]
Ayoub Khan | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of Parliament for Birmingham Perry Barr | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Khalid Mahmood |
| Majority | 507 (1.4%) |
| Member of Birmingham City Council for Aston | |
| Assumed office May 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Muhammad Afzal |
| In office July 2005 – May 2012 | |
| In office May 2003 – June 2004 | |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations | Liberal Democrats (until 2024) |
| Alma mater | Birmingham City University University of Birmingham |
Early life and education
editKhan moved to England from Ratta, Azad Kashmir at six months old. He attended Duddeston Manor School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Chemistry from the University of Birmingham and a Masters in integrated management systems from the University of Central England. He qualified as a barrister in 2007 after being called to the bar in 2005.[3]
Political career
editKhan was first elected as a Liberal Democrat councillor in the Aston ward in Birmingham in 2003. He lost the seat in 2004, but represented it again from 2005 to 2012, and 2022 to 2024.[4] During this time, he ran for other positions for the party, including the UK and European parliaments.[5]
During the 2023 Gaza war, Khan was embroiled in controversy over whether he had promoted a conspiracy theory on TikTok, and posted his own videos questioning the extent of the 7 October attacks.[6][7][8][9] He deleted the post, and the Liberal Democrat party said Khan had recognised the comments were offensive and agreed to undertake antisemitism training.[10] Khan stated "[a]t no stage have I considered my material on TikTok offensive, nor have I agreed with anyone that I would undergo a training course in antisemitism. There is simply no need. It illustrates doesn’t it how the media can get it wrong".[7][11][12]
Member of Parliament
editIn May 2024, he quit the Liberal Democrats to fight the general election as an independent,[13] saying he had been told to “hush up” his concerns over the Gaza war but could not do so without compromising his integrity.[14][better source needed] He was endorsed by the campaign group The Muslim Vote.[14][better source needed] He was elected as an independent MP for the Birmingham Perry Barr constituency, with 35.5% of the vote, overturning the Labour incumbent Khalid Mahmood’s 15,000 vote majority to win by 507 votes.[15][16]
Personal life
editAs of 2007, Khan lived in his childhood home in Aston with his wife Sophia Mohammed and their three children.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Birmingham Perry Barr - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ Siddique, Haroon (7 July 2024). "Who are the pro-Gaza independents who unseated Labour MPs?". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ a b Arnot, Chris (8 August 2007). "Can-do councillor". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ "Councillor Ayoub Khan". birmingham.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Ayoub Khan for Birmingham Perry Barr in the UK Parliamentary general election".
- ^ Mayor, Rob (27 October 2023). "Birmingham Lib Dem Councillor investigated for Hamas attack comments". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ a b Haynes, Jane (6 November 2023). "Tension mounts in Birmingham over Israel-Hamas conflict". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Harpin, Lee (26 October 2023). "Lib Dem councillor questions accounts of Hamas terrorist atrocities". Jewish News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Johnson, Alan (8 October 2023). "'Progressives' and the Hamas Pogrom: An A-Z Guide". Fathom. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Mayor, Rob (28 October 2023). "Birmingham Lib Dem councillor offered anti-semitism training". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Harpin, Lee. "Lib Dem councillor sparks fury after refusing to address antisemitism concerns". Jewish News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Harpin, Lee (30 October 2023). "Lib Dem councillor denies he agreed to do antisemitism training over Hamas remarks". Jewish News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Haynes, Jane (2024-05-28). "Lib Dem quits party to fight Perry Barr seat as Independent over Gaza". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ a b Rose, David (5 July 2024). "Birmingham Perry Bar election winner questioned Hamas war crimes on October 7". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2024/07/05/pro-gaza-candidates-capture-seats-from
- ^ Morton, Becky (5 July 2024). "Pro-Gaza candidates squeeze Labour vote in some constituencies". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.