Zaigham Butt seeks NDP greenlight to battle Hamilton MPP ousted from party over racism allegations
Zaigham Butt is pursuing the provincial NDP nomination in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek that would see him run against past family friend and MPP Paul Miller, who was booted from the party over racism allegations.
Butt, an accountant, was awarded the 2021 Order of Hamilton for his efforts to clean up beaches, connect struggling businesses and distribute food hampers during COVID.
He is also the son of NDP riding association president Zahid Butt, who told The Spec last month the ousted Miller was a longtime family friend who did nothing wrong." But in a statement Friday, the elder Butt said he now backs the party's decision after learning more about the MPP's behaviour."
Zaigham, 28, said he can't speak to media yet about his candidacy until he receives clearance from his employer, but hopes to do so next week. As of Friday, he was the only candidate listed for an April 19 NDP nomination meeting.
Until recently, it was assumed four-term MPP Miller would again represent the NDP in an east-end riding he previously won with close to half of all votes cast or better in the last three provincial elections. But on March 17, the NDP announced it had turfed the 71-year-old over unspecified unacceptable" conduct. In an interview that day, Zahid Butt initially stuck up for the MPP.
However, that interview happened before the NDP went public with allegations - which Miller denies - that the MPP had joined the anti-Muslim Worldwide Coalition Against Islam Facebook group. (Miller says his Facebook account was compromised" and he was falsely accused.)
Now that I have learned about Paul's behaviour, I am glad he was removed from the NDP caucus," said Zahid Butt in a statement forwarded to The Spec.
Miller, who has threatened legal action against the NDP and said he plans to run as an independent candidate, did not respond to a request for comment on Zaigham Butt's pursuit of the NDP nomination. The MPP has pointed to friendship with Muslim members of the riding association as proof he is not racist.
Miller has also faced criticism from the National Council of Canadian Muslims, which publicly thanked the Ontario NDP for removing him from caucus.
The Miller and Butt families previously had a history of mutual support. Past Facebook photos show Paul, his wife Carole Paikin Miller, Zahid and Zaigham at NDP events, birthdays and charitable fundraisers, although some of those have been deleted or made private in recent days.
Zaigham is also a volunteer director of the Pakistan Business Association, of which his father is a founding member. That association wrote a letter to the public school board last year defending Paikin Miller, who is a trustee, against allegations in an investigative report that she made anti-Muslim remarks. The report spurred a censure and calls for her to resign.
The NDP cited that investigative report as part of a pattern of troubling behaviour" when it booted Miller. The report alleges Paikin Miller and her husband were heard scoffing and muttering under their breath in indignation" during an audio meeting discussion of anti-Black racism and policing in schools. The party also pointed to a past human rights complaint filed against Miller that alleged workplace bullying and that the MPP made racist remarks. The complaint was never tested by the tribunal because a parallel grievance was confidentially settled.
Miller earlier called his ouster a political assassination" and argued the NDP was trying to get rid of the old guys" to bring in younger candidates, diversified candidates."
Matthew Van Dongen is a transportation and environment reporter at The Spectator. mvandongen@thespec.com