Shocking footage shows street brawl erupt on Birmingham election campaign trail

Shocking footage shows the moment a street brawl broke out while a Birmingham Labour candidate and councillor were handing out leaflets ahead of next month’s city council election.

Cllr Mohammed Idrees had been canvassing with Labour candidate Saqib Khan in the Small Heath area of Birmingham when the melee broke out on Saturday (April 16).

Mobile phone footage shows a group of men clashing in the street as punches and kicks are thrown along Kenelm Road where campaigners had been leafletting.

Birmingham Labour has said an investigation is underway into the events.

It’s believed the ugly scenes unfolded after a local resident took exception to Labour Party volunteers or members knocking on doors ahead of the Birmingham City Council elections on May 5.

One man in a black Adidas t-shirt can be seen remonstrating with two other men over a front garden wall before the exchange escalates into a scrap.

A fight breaks out as one man is backed into a parked car, while by-standers, including Cllr Idrees, try to intervene.

The footage, obtained by the Birmz is Grime blog, has since been viewed thousands of times after being uploaded to social media.

The leader of Birmingham’s Conservatives has since said he expects the Labour Party to take action if members were found to have taken part in an assault.

One local resident, who did not want to be named, said: “It all seemed to come out of nowhere.

“We’ve had plenty of campaigners in the area just talking to residents and putting leaflets though doors which you would expect in the run up to any election.

“But one particular bloke was hurling abuse at them and swearing, I couldn’t hear what it was all about but it got ugly pretty fast.

“These aren’t the scenes we should be seeing in a democratic society.

“There are a lot of political tensions this time around but nobody wants to be seeing fights in the street when people are just doing their jobs.

“They should be setting an example to others because this was all a bit embarrassing.”

A spokesman for West Midlands Police, said: “We are aware of a video circulating on social media of a fight in in Kenelm Road, Bordesley Green on Saturday (April 16).

“While we haven’t received any formal reports, officers are looking into this and will speak to individuals who they believe to be involved.

“If anyone has any more information please contact us via Live Chat.”

Labour Party statement

A Birmingham Labour spokesperson, said: “This weekend a worrying video has come to light on social media appearing to show violent scenes in Small Heath.

“Birmingham Labour is taking this matter seriously and an investigation is underway into the events of the day.

“Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham’s Labour Group, has written to all of Labour’s candidates to remind them of their responsibilities as political candidates, and to ensure that candidates are doing everything that they can to remain safe whilst out campaigning.

“The Labour Party absolutely condemns violence of any kind and calls on all those campaigning in the Birmingham local elections to do responsibly and peacefully.”

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