A Labour councillor who was caught with drugs at a music festival is facing calls to resign.

Ishmael Osamor – son of Labour MP Kate Osamor – was arrested after being caught in possession of £2,500-worth of cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine and cannabis at last year’s Bestival event in Dorset.

The 29-year-old pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing drugs with intent to supply and a fourth charge of possession during a hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, October 26.

He was sentenced to a two-year community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £400 prosecution costs.

Cllr Osamor, who was elected to West Green ward in May this year, has resigned from his post as deputy cabinet member for Broadwater Farm Resident Engagement.

But he is now facing calls from opposition groups to step down as a Haringey councillor altogether.

Cllr Liz Morris, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group, said: “Cllr Osamor’s convictions are extremely serious and we are calling for him to resign as a Haringey councillor.

“Labour were elected in May on a manifesto commitment to tackle the high level of crime in Haringey, much of it drug related. It is inconceivable that Cllr Osamor can remain a councillor in our borough.”

Cllr Morris has written to council leader Joseph Ejiofor asking whether Cllr Osamor revealed details of his arrest before he was selected as a Labour candidate.

Cllr Tammy Palmer, Liberal Democrat spokesman for the Tottenham constituency, said Cllr Osamor’s conviction could be a distraction from his work with residents on the Broadwater Farm estate.

Two blocks of flats on the Tottenham estate could be demolished after they were judged to be unsafe following inspections earlier this year, meaning many residents have had to be rehoused.

Cllr Palmer said: “It is unacceptable that (Cllr Osamor’s) personal history is proving a distraction at this crucial time.”

Chris Joannides, chairman of Tottenham Conservative Association, said: “Cllr Osamor represents West Green ward, which has many social-economic problems.

“Having admitted four serious charges involving Class A drugs, it is difficult to see how he can properly represent an area where drug-related crimes have blighted the lives of so many residents.

“He should resign from Haringey Council immediately.”

Cllr Joseph Ejiofor, leader of Haringey Council, said an internal investigation had been launched into Cllr Osamor’s actions.

He said: “Cllr Osamor came to see me on Friday, October 26 and explained about an incident that happened in September last year.

“I am obviously very concerned and disappointed by the actions that Cllr Osamor admitted.

“Cllr Osamor has accepted that what he did was wrong and has apologised. He has also resigned from his role as a deputy cabinet member.

“I believe that it is appropriate for an investigation to be carried out into these actions, and I have asked the Haringey Labour Party chief whip to do so.”

Editor's note: 

On October 30, 2019 we published the above article about calls for Labour councillor Ishmael Osamor to step down after being caught in possession of drugs at a festival.

We incorrectly reported that he had smuggled the drugs in.

We can confirm that this was not true, and the substances were purchased on site.

We apologise for the error.