A former Bracknell MP has defended his remarks about senior Bracknell Councillors during a national television interview despite errors in the timeline he presented.
Colonel James Sunderland, who represented Bracknell from 2019 to 2024, spoke on Talk about the case of former councillor Naheed Ejaz, who was convicted of perverting the course of justice at Winchester Crown Court.
Speaking after the broadcast, Col Sunderland acknowledged he had misstated part of the timeline, but said this did not undermine his overall argument.
He said: “My criticism of the decision to hold a fundraiser in 2024 is entirely valid.”
During the interview, he questioned a fundraiser held by retired teacher and climate campaigner Mary Temperton and senior police officer Roy Bailey in aid of Naheed Ejaz on November 2024, believing she could not pay for her food or bills.
In November 2024, before Ejaz had been arrested or charged, Cllr Temperton and Cllr Bailey organised a small fundraiser among Labour members. They believed Ejaz was in financial difficulty and unable to cover basic living costs.
But the interview implied that the fundraiser was for Ejaz’s son taxi driver Diwan Khan who is now a convicted rapist.
Whilst Khan was charged with rape on September 14, 2024, Winchester Crown Court confirmed that Ejaz herself was not arrested and charged until February 27, 2025.
Col Sunderland maintained that senior Labour figures in Bracknell were aware of concerns surrounding Khan prior to the fundraiser, including previous arrests and convictions, and argued this made the decision to raise funds inappropriate.
At the time, Cllr Temperton was leader of Bracknell Forest Council, while Cllr Bailey, a former police officer, was known for his work supporting children with special educational needs. They are both in their late 70s, and Bailey’s wife is in the final stages of dementia in a care home.
Col Sunderland also pointed to the suspension of both councillors by the Labour Party following the case.
He said: “Mary and Roy are not the victims here.
“Diwan was arrested on September 12, 24, Bracknell News reported it on September 20, 24 and Ejaz then lost her licence in Oct 24.
“Labour’s Council Leader and the Executive knew about Diwan’s previous arrests whilst serving as the Mayoral Consort in Jul 23 and Jan 24, not to mention his previous convictions.
“They also knew why Ejaz had resigned as a councillor following the initiation of a code of conduct complaint, so my criticism about their appalling decision to hold a fund-raiser in 2024 (not 2025) is entirely valid.
“The fact that Cllr Temperton and Cllr Bailey have since been suspended by the Labour Party also proves the point.
“The ongoing failure of the Labour Executive to take any responsibility or show any contrition for their failures should also worry every resident in Bracknell.”
He added that he stood by the substance of his interview and called for greater accountability from the council’s leadership.
He said: “I just want public officials to be decent, honest and accountable.”
