War of words over charity dinner

Aug 25 2010 By Camilla Goodman, Buckinghamshire Examiner

warofwords

A WAR of words has erupted regarding who exactly was responsible for raising £40,000 for victims of the floods in Pakistan.

Mohammad Bhatti, former mayor of Chesham, told last week of a £100-a-head dinner party at The Bellhouse Hotel, in Beaconsfield, which he had organised.

He said he and fellow members of Chesham Mosque had been moved to stage the fundraiser to help people in stricken areas.

But Seemab Ali, chairman of the International Disaster Fund (IDF), claims it was he who organised it. His claims have since been rubbished by Mr Bhatti.

Mr Ali said: "Councillor Bhatti did not organise this event and neither did members of Chesham Mosque.

The event was actually organised by my company, IDF, in aid of the flood victims.

"I think it's really sad that Councillor Bhatti is seeking publicity for something that is a miserable disaster. He was merely a guest at the event who paid £100 for his ticket, just like everyone else, so it's really unfair for him to be getting such publicity when other guests at the event donated up to

£16,000." Mr Ali said he had received several complaints from members of his management team, who had worked hard at the event.

The evening was attended by about 175 people, including the current Mayor of Chesham, Councillor Jane Bramwell.

Mr Bhatti has rejected Mr Ali's accusation and continues to say he organised the event alongside Mr Ali and some other friends and that he was not 'merely a guest'.

He said: "We all organised it together - myself, Mr Ali and a couple of others. I was not just a guest, I invited people. It was me that invited the Chesham mayor. What Mr Ali has said is wrong and I will be talking with him."

Mr Bhatti said they decided the best way to use the money raised is to send people to Pakistan to see what the victims need most, so the money can be spent effectively.

Mr Ali has said he is flying to Pakistan himself to deliver the money to the victims.