A Labour councillor has claimed he was questioned on why he should be able to vote in the EU referendum because he “doesn’t look English”.
Rishi Madlani, 34, who has represented Bloomsbury since 2014, said he was challenged on his eligibility to vote while canvassing at University College London.
On Thursday, Mr Madlani was at Ramsay Hall polling station in Maple Street, near Tottenham Court Road, when he asked a man for his polling number but was refused.
He said the man, who he believed was in his 30s, walked off but then returned and asked him why he was allowed to vote.
Mr Madlani told the Standard: “He hung back to wait until I was on my own and asked me why I should have a say because I wasn’t British.
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“I told him I was born and bred in Britain and he said to me, well you don’t look English.
“I didn’t expect this type of thing to happen in Bloomsbury. I have been a member of the party for about 10 years and have never experienced anything as distressing as that.
“But I must say I’ve been so touched by the messages of support from people on Facebook and other residents.”
Mr Madlani, who is campaigning to remain in the European Union, said he believes the spotlight on immigration during the EU debate may have contributed to the incident.
He added: “I do think this has come about because of some of the rhetoric on issues like immigration in this debate.”
Mr Madlani said the police were not contacted but said he will raise it with his neighbourhood officers.
