Calls for Crawley Mayor to resign after fight video shared
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1946636 ... eo-shared/ (video of fight via this link)
A MAYOR is facing calls to resign after footage emerged of two taxi drivers brawling in the street.
Crawley's Conservative group has called for the No Confidence vote in Labour Mayor Shahzad Abbas Malik after the clip was widely circulated on social media.
Police were called to Tushmore roundabout in Crawley at about 2.30pm on Monday after an argument turned into a fight.
Footage of the brawl shows two men exchanging blows in the middle of the road. During the fight, police said, one of the men suffered injuries to his arms and head and "briefly lost consciousness".
People on social media as well as national news websites claim one of the men is Mayor Abbas Malik.
The Argus spoke to Mayor Abbas Malik who would neither confirm nor deny he was one of the men involved in the fight.
"I can't comment while there's a police investigation," he said.
"Once that has concluded, all relevant parties will issue a statement."
Crawley councillor Duncan Crow also claims Mayor Abbas Malik is one of the men in the video.
The Conservative Group leader is spearheading calls for him to resign.
"That behaviour is totally incompatible with being the Mayor of Crawley," he added.
Cllr Crow has put forward a Notice of Motion to be heard at an Extraordinary Full Council meeting.
The proposal, emailed to council officials by Cllr Crow and seconded by Cllr Kevan McCarthy, reads: “This council expresses no confidence in the mayor and seeks his immediate resignation.”
A Sussex Police spokesman said: "We received reports of a fight between two men at the Tushmore roundabout in Crawley on Monday at about 2.30pm.
"Following an argument an altercation ensued in which one of the men suffered injuries to his arms and head and briefly lost consciousness.
"Both men then left the scene in their vehicles.
"Police are aware of footage of the incident being shared on social media and ask the public to refrain from speculating on the identities of those involved while officers conduct their enquiries.
"Anyone who witnessed the altercation, has dash-cam footage or any information which could help can report it online or by calling 101, quoting reference 1094 of 19/07."
