Fraud scandal rocks Lib Dems
April 2005

Streatham Guardian coverage of the Liberal Democrats cover up

The findings of an investigation into a disgraced Liberal Democrat Councillor are being covered up by his political allies in Lambeth town hall. As reported in the local press in December 2004, the same Councillor has already been convicted of Housing benefit fraud in Ealing.

Nearly two and a half years ago, Lambeth council began its own investigation into allegations of fraudulent activity by former Lib Dem Councillor Gabriel Fernandes. No report has been published, arousing suspicions that it has been hushed up by the Lib Dem leadership. At Wednesday night’s council meeting, Labour Leader Steve Reed asked to see the findings of the investigation.

The Liberal Democrat Leader of the Council, Peter Truesdale, answered that “The Council will not be publishing the report because of the constraints of the Data Protection Act 1998 and, in any event, the publication of such material would clearly prejudice any legal proceedings the Council might consider instituting.”

Liberal Democrat Councillors have offered protection to Gabriel Fernandes (above)

It has taken two and a half years for Lambeth to fail to publish the findings of its investigation. Ealing Council completed their investigation into Fernandes in a much shorter period and then successfully prosecuted him. Labour Councillors are concerned that the delay in Lambeth is politically motivated. The Liberals did not tell anybody about the status of the report until Councillor Reed’s question forced them to explain what had happened to it.

Councillor Steve Reed, Leader of Lambeth Labour, said:

“Right from the very start, Liberal Democrat Councillors have offered protection to Gabriel Fernandes in an attempt to limit the political damage of his criminal activities.”

“Now they are covering up this report and I fear this is for the same reasons. Either criminal proceedings are commenced urgently or they must publish the report. Lambeth residents have a right to know.”

You can read more about how ex-Lib dem Councillor Gabrielle Fernades fraudulently obtained housing benefits in a case brought by Ealing Council at Acton Magistrates court by reading the story of the Ealing Council website.

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