07Dec 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Sykes reassured by police commitment over child sexual exploitation review

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence
In advance of the publication of an independent review into allegations of historic child sexual exploitation in Oldham, the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, wrote recently to Greater Manchester Police seeking assurances that they ‘will act without fear or favour to reassure the public and bring all offenders to justice’. In November 2019, Oldham Council and the Oldham Safeguarding Partnership commissioned the independent review from the Mayor of Greater Manchester.  Two experienced investigators, Malcolm Newsam MBE, a childcare expert, and Gary Ridgeway, formerly a senior police officer specialising in public protection, were appointed to head up the review team and they are now working to finalise their report. In his letter, Councillor Sykes was keen to impress upon Assistant Chief Constable Mabs Hussain MBE that Oldham’s Liberal…
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23Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Leader welcomes promised update on child sexual exploitation investigation at next Council meeting

Borough news, CSE
A report updating Councillors and the public on the progress made by the investigation team into historic allegations of child sexual exploitation in the Borough will be included in the agenda papers for the next full meeting of Oldham Council (4 November 2020). Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition, wrote to the Leader of the Council three weeks ago (30 Sept) requesting such a report. He has just received confirmation that this will now happen. Commenting he said: “I welcome the commitment to bring a report to the next Council meeting. There is a great deal of public and Councillor interest in this investigation and the Council has already committed to implementing its findings in full. It is now almost a year since the investigation into these serious…
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07Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems: Ministers are playing fast and loose with safety of NHS staff

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that fifty million face masks bought by the Government will now not be used by NHS and care staff because of safety concerns, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: "The news that fifty million masks are not safe for our NHS and care staff to use is yet another staggering error made by this Government. Not only does it mean millions of pounds of taxpayers money being thrown down the drain, but it shows just how Ministers are playing fast and loose when it comes to keeping our NHS staff safe. "The Government's procurement of personal protective equipment has been shocking from the very beginning of the pandemic. It should not need to be said that Ministers should prioritise protecting the staff…
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30Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Highest levels of excess deaths demands Government learns lessons

Parliamentary news
Responding to ONS statistics that reveal England has had the highest excess mortality across Europe in the first half of 2020, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “The unforgiving consequences of the pandemic have left too many families mourning loved ones. It didn't need to be like this.  "It is clear the Government has made mistakes. With a possible second wave occurring in countries across Europe at the moment, the Prime Minister must launch an independent inquiry immediately. "This is not a time for protecting political interests. This is a time to learn from mistakes and protect the country from more heartache."
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28Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Davey calls for PM to put Martin Forde QC in charge of a coronavirus Inquiry

Parliamentary news
Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has written to the Prime Minister with a plan for an immediate inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic.  Ed has called on the Prime Minister to appoint Martin Forde QC as the chair of an independent coronavirus inquiry and to start work immediately. Martin Forde was the independent adviser on the design of the Government’s Windrush Compensation Scheme and is chair of the independent inquiry into Labour’s report on the party’s handling of antisemitism complaints.  Ed also released proposed Terms of Reference for the independent inquiry agreed to by the Covid19 Bereaved Families for Justice. A spokesperson for the Covid19 Bereaved Families for Justice said: “Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice are relieved that Ed Davey has seen the urgent need for a rapid inquiry. “The Government’s own ‘Preparing for a challenging winter 20/21’ report (The Academy of Medical Sciences) predicts over 119,000 excess…
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25Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Any review of our democracy must be truly independent, Lib Dems warn

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the Government have dropped plans for a Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Political Reform, Wendy Chamberlain, said: “Given the widespread fears that this Commission was going to be used as a vehicle for Boris Johnson to attack the judiciary and slash checks and balances on his own powers, the fact it has been dropped is extremely welcome.  "If this Government is serious about reviewing the workings of our democracy, then they should be committing to a fully transparent and independent process. "Ministers must be prepared to put the real issues on the table. Issues like whether the First Past the Post voting system is fit for purpose, and why we continue to unfairly disenfranchise 1.5million 16 and 17 year olds".
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16Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems secure PM commitment to independent inquiry

Parliamentary news
Acting Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has today secured a commitment from the Prime Minister to an independent inquiry into the Government’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis and called for the timetable to be set out immediately. Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions today, Ed Davey warned that under Boris Johnson’s leadership the country has suffered “one of the worst death rates in the world and Europe’s worst death rate of health and care workers.” Making reference to Boris Johnson’s support for an independent inquiry into the Iraq War, the Liberal Democrat Acting Leader again urged the Prime Minister to “commit in principle to a future independent inquiry”. In response, the Prime Minister accepted his Government will “learn the lessons of this pandemic” and confirmed there will be in independent inquiry.…
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