The left-wing political party led by George Galloway MP is stepping up pressure on Tower Hamlets council in east London, where he was elected last month, to suspend plans over social housing

A councillor for the party, called Respect, has now tabled a motion on the issue that is scheduled to be discussed at a full council meeting next week.

Galloway has already written to Tower Hamlets chief executive Christine Gilbert calling for the suspension of the upgrading programme, which involves the transfer of housing stock from the council to registered social landlords. He is also calling for an investigation into the conduct of Housing Choice, the name of the scheme, since it was established in 2001.

Oliur Rahman, a councillor for Respect, has tabled a resolution reiterating the call for the programme to be suspended and for an investigation into the council鈥檚 conduct.

In a statement, Respect said: 鈥淲e are appalled at the treatment of council tenants in Tower Hamlets. For years they have seen the standard of their homes decline through lack of investment and the service they receive deteriorate. In order to improve their housing conditions, they are now faced with a choice that is loaded.鈥�

The resolution calls for the council to suspend any further stock transfer ballots pending an inquiry into allegations of abuses, including the conduct of ballots.

The party is also calling for full public scrutiny of the council鈥檚 housing finances, the use and disposal of public land and assets and of potential housing funding from 1995.

Housing associations are worried that Respect could rally support against house stock transfer ballots due to take place. One developer said: 鈥淕alloway wants to take on the council over its housing policy. The worry is that he is going to whip up local people to reject the stock transfers and unsettle the council鈥檚 housing strategy.鈥�

In a reply to the letter from Galloway, Gilbert acknowledged that there was a shortfall of 拢400m in the amount of money required to bring housing in the area up to a proper standard but said the policy of stock transfers was the best way to tackle it. She said that tenants had voted decisively for the policy in 2002. Gilbert also rejected Galloway鈥檚 call for an inquiry, saying that adequate auditing systems were in place.