A MUSLIM leader has been accused of talking “a load of rubbish” after claiming he was kicked off a community panel for being too controversial.

Sarfraz Sarwar, leader of the Basildon Muslim Association, has been removed from the Pitsea South East and North West Community Panel, which liases between tenants, home owners and the council.

Mr Sarwar, who has been a tenant rep for 32 years, says he was sacked because he complained about too many council homes being given to immigrants.

But the panel’s chairman, Gina Blackford, insisted he was removed because he attended too few meetings over the past year.

Mrs Blackford, also a tenants’ representative, said: “It’s not about being too controversial – I’m the most controversial person going.

“The council rules are that if you miss two meetings you are given a warning and if you miss any more you are off. He missed too many meetings and that’s the only reason he is no longer a rep.”

But Mr Sarwar believes his dismissal was for other reasons. He said: “I think the council got rid of me because I was not toeing the line.

“It’s a shame because I was a tenants’ rep for 32 years.

“I was told not to bring up black and minority issues, but I want to.

“I raised the issue that more and more immigrants are moving into our council houses and the second generation of Basildon residents, the children of the people who first moved here, are missing out.

“That includes my children, as I’ve lived here for 40 years.

“I also asked why can’t the council give travellers council homes, then they wouldn’t have to build illegally on the green belt.

“They’ve been around here for 30 years now and should be given a fair crack of the whip.”

Malcolm Buckley, leader of Basildon Council, said: “The council does not interfere with the make up of the community panels.

“We do encourage all sectors of the community to air their views. Sometimes we will agree with what they say and sometimes we won’t.”