Terrorist Convict Seeks Election in Birmingham Council Race
Shahid Butt, a 60-year-old man previously convicted for plotting to bomb the British embassy in Yemen, has announced his intention to stand as a candidate in the upcoming Birmingham City Council elections. Butt plans to run in the Sparkhill ward during the May elections, claiming he wants to "unify the people" and counter far-right influences in the area.
Controversial Past and Terrorism Conviction
Butt's political ambitions are overshadowed by his criminal history. In 1999, a Yemeni court convicted him for associating with armed groups, plotting murder and destruction, and possessing weapons. Prosecutors presented evidence that he was part of a militant group planning attacks on Western targets including the British consulate in Aden, an Anglican church, and a Swiss-owned hotel.
The case involved eight Britons and two Algerians linked to Islamist militants operating in Yemen. During proceedings, the court heard that Butt and his associates had been sent to Yemen by Abu Hamza, the notorious hook-handed British hate preacher now serving a life sentence in the United States on terrorism charges.
Training and Militant Connections
The defendants reportedly trained at a militant camp run by Zein al-Abidine al-Mihdar, who was later sentenced to death for his role in the 1998 kidnapping of 16 Western tourists. During the rescue attempt by Yemeni security forces, four hostages - three Britons and one Australian - were killed.
Butt, who was born in Pakistan before moving to Birmingham with his parents as a child, was 33 at the time of his conviction. He received a five-year prison sentence and served the full term, being released in December 2003 at age 38 before returning to the UK under escort from a British consular official. There is no public record indicating his conviction has been quashed.
Political Backing and Campaign Platform
Butt will stand under the Independent Candidate Alliance (ICA), a group formed in early 2025 to support independent local candidates focusing on inner-city issues. His campaign receives backing from two notable Birmingham figures: Akhmed Yakoob, a solicitor and former parliamentary candidate known as the "TikTok lawyer," and activist Shakeel Afsar.
In campaign materials, Butt describes himself as someone who has "always been on the frontlines," referencing his involvement in street fights against far-right groups in the 1970s and 1980s, his time as an aid worker and foreign fighter in Bosnia during the 1990s, and his travels to Afghanistan and Kashmir before his Yemen assignment.
Supporters' Controversial Backgrounds
Akhmed Yakoob, known for his love of fast cars and jewellery, faces his own legal challenges. He is due to stand trial in 2027 on charges of money laundering, encouraging money laundering, and contravening customer due diligence requirements. Yakoob previously ran in the 2024 West Midlands mayoral race, finishing third, and stood as an independent candidate in Birmingham Ladywood during the general election.
Shakeel Afsar, the other key supporter, previously led protests against LGBT-inclusive teaching at Anderton Park Primary School and stood as an independent candidate in Hall Green and Moseley during the last general election. All three men are vocal supporters of the Palestinian cause and publicly supported the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of the Israeli team's match against Aston Villa in November.
Community Engagement and Controversial Statements
Since returning to Britain, Butt has given talks in schools and at public meetings about radicalisation and his past experiences, which he says serve as warnings to others. However, he has also made inflammatory statements, including calling on Muslims to stop Maccabi fans "desecrating" Birmingham and describing them as "IDF babykillers."
In a video from a protest on the night of the Aston Villa match, Butt stated: "Muslims are not pacifists... if somebody comes into your face, you knock his teeth out, that's my message to the youth."
Election Eligibility and Response
According to local council election rules, a person can be disqualified from standing if they have been sentenced to prison for three months or more, but this only applies to sentences within the five years preceding polling day. Butt's conviction falls outside this timeframe, potentially allowing his candidacy to proceed.
When questioned by the Birmingham Mail about his intentions to stand, Butt acknowledged that "sometimes in the heat of the moment I say something that I may later regret" but emphasized that he is "not an AI robot" but "a real person" with a "colourful life" that gives him credibility in his community. He denied holding antisemitic views while stating he has "no love" for Zionism.
The development raises significant questions about candidate vetting processes and the rehabilitation of individuals with serious criminal convictions seeking public office. Birmingham City Council has been contacted for comment regarding Butt's eligibility and the broader implications of his candidacy for local democracy.
