CAKE WARS: Councillor Accused of Weaponising Council Against Home Baker

A fully registered Forest Gate home baker, who has quietly operated for fifteen years, finds herself at the centre of a dramatic misconduct complaint against a prominent Labour Councillor, as neighbours rally to support her family business.

A Cake Too Far? Baker's Livelihood Sparks Political Firestorm

A neighbourhood row over a small, home-based bakery has escalated into a major political headache for Newham Council and the local Labour Party, following the submission of a formal complaint against Manor Park Labour Councillor Mariam Dawood and her father. The complaint, dated 19 July 2025, alleges a "sustained campaign of intimidation via various council departments, interference and harassment" targeting baker Fatima Yusuf and her mother at their Claremont Road, Forest Gate property.

The complainants, the family behind the fully registered home bakery operating for over fifteen years, claim the alleged actions began shortly after the death of Ms. Yusuf's father. They assert that Councillor Dawood, their neighbour, and her father have misused council channels in an attempt to disrupt their lives and ultimately drive them from their property, specifically citing the small bakery business, which Ms. Yusuf describes as her only income.

Read Also: 14 Years, 16 Neighbours: The Bakeress Defies Newham Shutdown

The explosive letter, now under review by the Council’s Monitoring Officer, specifically accuses Councillor Dawood and her father of:

• Misuse of authority for personal gain
• Harassment and intimidation of neighbours
• Bringing the role of councillor and the council into disrepute

The complaint further highlights that members of the local Gujarati community are aware of the situation and have expressed deep concern, viewing the alleged behaviour as "deeply inappropriate, unethical and entirely unbefitting of an elected official."

Community Rallies Behind the Baker

The central issue stems from a recent council enforcement notice ordering Ms. Yusuf to stop using her home kitchen for the bakery, known as The Bakeress, claiming it is a 'commercial enterprise' causing a nuisance in a residential area. Ms. Yusuf, who has appealed the notice to the government's Planning Inspectorate, confirmed that the council inspection was intrusive, with officers checking private spaces like her attic and late father's bedroom.

This enforcement action is understood to have followed a complaint allegedly initiated by Councillor Dawood and members of her household. However, the move has spectacularly backfired within the community. Sixteen other neighbours have since signed a powerful statement supporting Ms. Yusuf, describing her and her mother as “quiet, pleasant and amenable.” Neighbour Cathy Stack echoed this support, stating the family has "never caused disturbance, noise, or parking chaos," and questioning, “Where’s the evidence that it is causing major disruption?”

Ms. Yusuf insists her fully registered business has never caused problems, running quietly from her small kitchen. The community’s vocal defence firmly suggests that, in this instance, the Council has targeted a valuable, non-disruptive local entrepreneur instead of focusing on major borough issues like fly-tipping and crime.

Growing Political Fallout

The allegations are causing significant unease within Newham Labour ranks. Sources confirm the party is under pressure to investigate swiftly, with internal questions mounting over the potential misuse of council processes for personal ends. One senior Labour insider privately admitted to Open Newham: “It’s a distraction we really didn’t need, and it risks looking like the council turns its fire on ordinary residents rather than fixing bigger problems.”

The Newham Independent Party is reportedly monitoring the situation closely, eyeing Manor Park as a key target in upcoming local elections. Should the allegations be substantiated, the scandal could fuel a narrative of Labour complacency and over-reach, making the ward a prime battleground.

Separately, residents are calling for any potential involvement by Councillor Dawood’s ward colleague, Councillor Salim Patel, to be examined as part of the broader investigation, though there is currently no formal evidence of wrongdoing against him.

Both Newham Council and Councillor Dawood were approached for comment on the matter prior to publication. As of the time of writing, the complaint remains under initial review.