Lambeth Liberal Democrat candidate in home buying scandal
April 2006

Lib Dem candidate taken to court

A Liberal Democrat council candidate in Lambeth has been exposed for trying to buy a council property on the cheap. Council legal officers have confirmed that the Lib Dem candidate in the key battleground of Vassall Ward attempted to purchase a council flat under "right to buy" legislation in May 2000. However, the council refused the application in February 2001 on the grounds that the Lib Dem candidate did not live in it, a central condition of "right to buy".

Following the failed attempt to buy the flat, the council took the Lib Dem candidate to Lambeth County Court in February 2002 where an eviction order was served. In summing up, the judge described the Lib Dem candidate as a "liar".

Labour is calling on Lambeth's Liberal Democrat Leader, Peter Truesdale, to sack his party's candidate because of the home-buying scandal.

Councillor Truesdale has a less than impressive record in dealing with fraud scandals over recent years. When former Lib Dem councillor Gabriel Fernandes was caught committing housing benefit fraud in 2003, the Lib Dems tried to cover up the allegations while they called a snap by-election. He was later convicted in court. Councillor Truesdale also moved to protect Lib Dem housing boss Keith Fitchett following a £3 million fraud in the Housing Department in 2005. Councillor Fitchett had failed to act when tenants warned him what was going on and only months of public pressure forced him to step down. This latest episode puts Councillor Truesdale's response to sleaze in the spotlight once again.

Councillor Steve Reed, Leader of Lambeth Labour Group said:

"This Lib Dem candidate tried to get rich quick by applying to buy a flat on the cheap when she didn't even live in it. Yet again, we find another Lambeth Lib Dem who is unfit to hold public office."

"Lambeth is sick of Lib Dem fraud. Last time one of their councillors was caught fiddling housing benefit they tried to cover it up. This time Cllr Truesdale must come clean and sack this tarnished candidate."

UPDATE: The name of the Lib Dem candidate has been removed from this article at the candidate's personal request. The person concerned was not elected to the Council and Labour agrees it is reasonable for this individual to be left to get on with life out of the public eye.

Share you views on this and other local issues in the Lambeth Forum and be kept informed about local issues by emailing subscribe@lambethlabour.com.

To let us know your view on this issue, get help from your local councillor, or discover how you can help Labour in Lambeth, please complete the form below.