BNP nomination upsets the Tories and Labour
THE leaders of the Conservative and Labour groups on Redbridge Council are in uproar after BNP councillor Julian Leppert, was made vice-chairman of a committee.
At a meeting of the cycling liaison group, Labour councillor Filly Maravala and Liberal Democrat Gary Staight, named British National Party member Julian Leppert as vice-chairman.
But the nomination left Conservative council leader Keith Prince, fuming while the Labour Party’s group leader Elaine Norman rounded on her colleague for breaking their Party’s ‘No platform for the BNP’ policy.
Prince told the Ilford Recorder: “I am shocked and worried about the message this sends out, as the British National Party should not be given any platform.
“A lot of people will be angered by this and I would be interested to see what is thought of this nationally.
“They should have postponed the appointments, no-one need have nominated him.”
The embarrassed Labour group leader told the newspaper:
“Labour’s position is not to share a platform with these people and it is not our policy to nominate them for anything.”
But the two councillors under fire hit back accusing their colleagues of over reaction and political opportunism.
“Keith Prince would be better off using his energies to run this authority properly,” was the response from Filly Maravala while Gary Straight accused the council leader of being childish.
“A decision had to be made on the night and that’s what we did,” he told the Recorder.
Julian Leppert (left) admitted to being surprised by all the fuss adding: “Filly and Gary are good blokes and I am happy to work with them and the group as a whole.”
