Seven months ago Eric Pickles, the secretary of state for communities, launched an audit on the basis of fraud allegations into Tower Hamlets council’s finances. Contrary to the impressions given in Tuesday’s Commons debate and media coverage, nowhere in the 193-page document have charges of fraud or criminality been upheld. Instead, we are accused of operating sectarian politics that favour Muslim communities at the expense of their non-Muslim neighbours; of creating a culture of cronyism; of abusing processes and procedures.

If, as the report says, there are weaknesses in our governance structures or a lack of rationale displayed in some of our decisions, this is something that I, as well as council staff, will be committed to rectifying. We will listen and respond to the report. But I utterly reject any allegations of implementing policies designed to benefit any section of the community above others.

Contrary to the impression given, the overwhelming bulk of grants were allocated to those organisations that provide services for all communities, not just one community. If most grants went to the west of the borough, it is because most of the voluntary organisations are based there. Nor was the Poplar town hall building intentionally sold off to an associate of mine. I was not aware of, or personally responsible for, the details of this sale. I did not get into politics to give out backhanders.

Let me be clear here. There are politics behind the audit and Pickles’ proposed intervention, and they are the politics of a political establishment furious that my administration continues to embarrass it. I was elected twice as mayor on considerable majorities against huge national political machines. A majority of voters in Tower Hamlets knew I would put them first, no matter what their background. I’ve delivered on that principle.

Since 2010 we have built record numbers of new affordable homes, developed some of the world’s best urban schools, and won a swath of awards for everything from our free school meals services to Green Flag parks to dementia services to commitment to the living wage.

We have stood up to austerity, provided bursaries for our university students, reinstated maintenance grants for our further education students, and bailed out the 2,500 families in our borough hit by the hated bedroom tax.

In short, we have embarrassed the political class. We have proved that in the heart of the London machine, national politics can be replaced by community politics – and some would have us pay dearly for that.

When Pickles made reference to our lack of a chief executive he omitted to mention the reason: the unholy Tory-Labour alliance in Tower Hamlets that blocked my every attempt to fill the post.

Where auditors or any other critics identify areas in which we could improve our ability to serve residents, I will happily respond. But I will also defend my record, and will not take lectures on “the politics of division” from parties that bash immigrants and those on welfare benefits, or from politicians disgraced by expenses scandals, discredited by lies told to justify war, and intent on scapegoating the vulnerable in our society for an economic crisis caused by the most powerful.