The leader of Harrow Council's breakaway Independent Labour group says members will only return to the Labour Party if issues of racism and discrimination are addressed.

Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar, leader of the council and the Independent Labour group, wrote to Harrow Labour Party stating his fellow members would like to return.

He set up the group after being ousted as group leader by Cllr David Perry in a surprise challenge at the group's annual meeting, and has since formed his own cabinet with backing of Conservatives.

In a letter sent to the Labour group last week, Cllr Idaikkadar said: “We have not left the Labour party and challenge your interpretation regarding automatic exclusion from the Labour Party.

“We shall be grateful if you could please state the specific section of the rules you are referring to, and the date from which the 14 days begin to run so we can conform to Labour Party rules.”

“We would be grateful if you could confirm how re-registration with the Labour Group is done. Meanwhile, we confirm our intention to re-register as members of the Labour Group.”

In the letter, Cllr Idaikkadar called for “an independent mediator trusted by both parties to be appointed so an independent investigation could take place.”

He added: “We have raised the issue of racism and discrimination in the Labour Group which have not been addressed.

“As we have repeatedly stated we would like to return to the Labour group, but would like the issues addressed.”

In response, the Harrow Labour party claims the letter shows the group wanted to re-join the party.

Cllr Perry said: “We have received a letter from the Independent group asking about re-registering to the Labour Party.

“We are discussion with our colleagues at the London Labour Party about the re-registering of members and will have a response to the group in due course.”