Tories hide disgraced councillor from camera crews (Barking and Dagenham Borough Liberal Democrats)

Barking and Dagenham Borough Liberal Democrats <barkinganddagenham@libdems4london.org.uk>

Tories hide disgraced councillor from camera crews

March 18, 2010 5:00 PM
In Tory Troll website
Originally published by London Assembly Liberal Democrats

There were farcical scenes today as London Conservatives tried to hide a disgraced councillor from television news crews.

London Tonight and the BBC had both come to film suspended councillor Bertha Joseph as she voted in favour of Boris Johnson's plans for the Fire Authority.

However, the camera crews were ordered to leave at the "discretion" of the Chairman Brian Coleman.

Opposition members spoke up against the order, but were shouted down by Coleman, leading the Liberal Democrat group to walk out in protest.

Officials confirmed to me that crews had been allowed to film meetings before.

Despite this Brian Coleman refused to allow a vote on the issue.

Liberal Democrat Authority Member Caroline Pidgeon said after the meeting:

"The Tories want to hide their shameful secret from the public that today's Budget was passed due to the support of Councillor Joseph - someone who has been found guilty of serious wrongdoing and is unable to act as a councillor in her own borough.

"This is simply wrong and the Liberal Democrats want no part of this. It brings the Authority and the Mayor into disrepute."

"It is time that the Mayor took decisive action and sacked Bertha Joseph".

However, the Mayor has repeatedly refused to sack her from his Fire Authority.

Today's budget meeting was his last opportunity to do so before the elections.

Boris wrote to Bertha two weeks ago today, giving her 14 days to respond.

However, even if Boris does choose to sack her now it would make little difference.

In order to get through his policies, he has given up his principles. Bertha Joseph was always expendable once that happened.

Any claim to have "cleaned up London politics" should now be treated with the scorn it deserves.

http://torytroll.blogspot.com/2010/03/tories-hide-disgraced-councillor-from.html