Lambeth Lib Dems: “Please protect us!”
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 Lambeth Liberal Democrats have demanded to be guarded by council-contracted bouncers |
Lambeth’s Liberal Democrat Councillors have demanded to be guarded by council-contracted bouncers when they are outside the town hall. The new protection system has been introduced because due to particular concerns about the safety of councillor Keith Fitchett. Councillor Fitchett has been involved in a number of controversial decisions relating to evictions from St Agnes Place and the £3 million fraud in the Housing Department.
Following the demands from the Liberals a circular was sent to all councillors saying “the attached guidance and form are now to be used for all future requests for door supervision services for meetings outside of the Town Hall”. The attached note confirmed that “Following on from concerns raised by councillors during the St Agnes Place clearance, door supervision services may, when the need arises, be provided at meetings outside of the Town Hall.”
The move exposes a growing siege mentality amongst the Lib Dem Administration who have gained national press coverage following a series of gaffs. The Lib Dems were recently beaten in the Streatham South By-Election with a swing to Labour from the Lib Dems, bucking national trends.
Cllr Steve Reed, Leader of Lambeth Labour Group said:
"The role of local councillors is to engage and communicate with local people, so it’s worrying that the Liberal Democrats now need physical protection.”
“Clearly it’s only right and proper
that councillors should not put their safety at risk, but I think this
is a worrying trend. I want my Labour Councillors to be able to talk to
all members of the local community.”
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