Birmingham Council Race Heats Up as Sharon Osbourne Considers Challenge Against Convicted Candidate

In a dramatic development for Birmingham's local politics, a convicted terrorist standing for councillor has confessed he "shares views with the Far Right" and welcomed Sharon Osbourne's proposal to oppose him in the forthcoming Sparkhill ward election. Shahid Butt, who served time in Yemen for plotting to bomb the British consulate, has broken his silence following controversy over his candidacy, acknowledging his "dodgy past" while maintaining his suitability for office.

Controversial Candidate Acknowledges Far-Right Alignment

The 60-year-old independent candidate, who hopes to secure a council seat representing the inner-city Sparkhill ward with its 70 per cent Muslim population, made surprising admissions in recent statements. Mr Butt conceded he "agreed with the Far Right" on particular matters and certain policies from Nigel Farage's Reform party, adding further complexity to an already contentious election campaign.

Mr Butt was found guilty alongside five other British citizens of participating in a conspiracy to detonate explosives at targets including:

The British consulate in Aden
An Anglican church in Yemen
A hotel in the Yemeni coastal city

These convictions date back to 1999, yet Mr Butt insists he remains suitable to seek office in his childhood city of Birmingham.

Osbourne's Potential Entry Adds "Glamour" to Local Election

Sharon Osbourne, the 73-year-old former X-Factor judge who lost her husband and proud Brummie Ozzy last summer, recently indicated she was "seriously" contemplating standing against Mr Butt. In response to her potential challenge, Mr Butt remarked: "My message to Sharon is: she's more than welcome to come and stand in the local elections. She won't beat me, but she's more than welcome to stand."

The convicted candidate added that Osbourne's participation would "add some glamour and glitter and razzmatazz" to the May polls, describing this dynamic as "the benefit of living in a democracy." Osbourne herself addressed the situation on Instagram, posting: "This had nothing to do with racism," though she didn't elaborate further on her political motivations.

Sparkhill Ward Becomes Political Battleground

The forthcoming local elections this spring have taken an unexpected turn with these developments. Sparkhill ward, traditionally a focus of community representation concerns, now finds itself at the centre of national media attention due to the unusual circumstances surrounding its council race.

Mr Butt's candidacy as an independent, combined with his controversial past and political admissions, has created a unique electoral scenario. The potential entry of a celebrity figure like Sharon Osbourne adds another layer of complexity to what was already shaping up to be a closely watched local election in Birmingham.

As the May election approaches, Birmingham residents and political observers alike will be watching closely to see how this unusual contest develops, with questions remaining about: