Labour MP blasted by PM amid claims he is landlord of ‘unsafe’ children’s home

SIR Keir Starmer has ordered a Labour MP to take his “responsibilities seriously” amid claims he is the landlord of a failing children’s home.

The Prime Minister waded into the row after claims Jas Athwal owns a property housing an unsafe private care home where children have been left at risk of exploitation and a child went missing.

Ray Collins

Mr Athwal is pals with Daljit Johal, whose firm Heartwood Care Group saw a six-fold funding boost from an East London council after Athwal became its leader, The Londoner revealed.

An Ofsted probe this year found “serious and widespread failures” at the home.

Sir Keir said: “I am not across the full details although I have seen the story.

“I would expect anyone in a situation like that to take their responsibilities seriously.”

In a statement, Athwal said there was no “conflict of interest” in the leasing of the property.

He said: “I have no further commercial relationship with the tenant beyond leasing the property.

“The operation of children’s homes is rightfully overseen by Ofsted, whose regulation and enforcement I fully support.”

Heartwood told The Londoner that since 2013 “around 90% of the services provided to Redbridge Council were for 16+ and 18+ outreach services that do not relate to the care home referenced”.