A police investigation of a senior member of the London Assembly has been concluded with no further action to be taken.
In a statement released by his solicitor, Unmesh Desai, who represents the City & East Assembly constituency, confirmed that “between late December 2024 and today” he had been “the subject of a police investigation” with which he had “co-operated fully”.
Desai said he had “answered all of the police questions in interview, maintaining my innocence without any legal advice” and he added: “I have always maintained my faith in our system of justice, and in the Metropolitan Police.”
First elected to the Assembly for Labour in 2016, Desai is also a former Newham councillor. He currently sits on the Assembly’s budget and performance, transport, and police and crime committees.
Earlier this week, On London learned that Desai has been placed under “administrative suspension” by the Labour Party following a complaint related to the case being made against him, which means he currently sits at City Hall as an Independent.
In his statement, Desai also said:
“I have however been saddened that certain media outlets, political bloggers, and users of X, have linked my name to this investigation before I was ever charged with any offence.
Allegations like this spread like wildfire across the internet. In my case, there were very good reasons for pre-charge privacy. It is not right that my name has been tarnished in this way.”
In 2022, the Supreme Court confirmed a general rule that a person under criminal investigation has, prior to any charge being brought, “a reasonable expectation of privacy”.
A previous On London article about the Unmesh Desai case was deleted yesterday because it risked violating the pre-charge privacy general rule and reporting the case unfairly.
Desai will remain under administrative suspension by Labour until the complaint against him is resolved.
OnLondon.co.uk provides unique coverage of the capital’s politics, development and culture. Support the website and its writers for just £5 a month or £50 a year and get things that other people won’t. Details HERE. Follow Dave Hill on Bluesky.