West London Labour councillor arrested and charged for fraud

A Labour councillor in Hounslow has been arrested and charged with fraud by abuse of position.Councillor Gurbachan Singh Athwal, 75, of Southall, was charged via postal requisition on Friday, September 25, following a voluntary interview in October 2025.The charges relate to a role he held as treasurer of Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall over a period of around eight years. The charity manages the two largest Gurdwaras – Sikh places of worship – in Southall. Cllr Athwal is currently the Labour councillor for Heston East in Hounslow following his election in May 2026.At the time of writing, the Hounslow Labour Group, which has a majority of one, has not withdrawn the whip from Cllr Athwal.He also remains a trustee of the charity according to the Charity Commission website.He is expected to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 27.A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Gurbachan Singh Athwal, 75, of Southall, was charged with fraud by abuse of position following an investigation by detectives from the Metropolitan Police.“He was charged via postal requisition on Friday, 25 September following a voluntary interview in October 2025. He will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 27 October. The charges relate to a role he held as treasurer of a community organisation from 2014 to 2022.”