28Jan 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Failure to publish Sue Gray report in full would be an “insult to the bereaved”

Failure to publish Sue Gray report in full would be an “insult to the bereaved”

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has written to Boris Johnson demanding he publish the Sue Gray report in full, alongside any accompanying evidence such as photos, emails and messages. The letter warns that any attempt to use the Met Police as an excuse to “whitewash” the report will only cause more public anger, including among tens of thousands of bereaved families furious with Boris Johnson for holding rule-breaking parties in Number 10. The letter states that nothing should be left out or redacted from the report unless that has been specifically requested by the police. The Liberal Democrats also highlight how government ministers have referred to the Sue Gray report over 130 times in Parliament in recent weeks, including 22 times by Boris Johnson himself. The letter adds that government…
Read More
23Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Time for Oldham Borough’s fly-tippers to face the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA)

Time for Oldham Borough’s fly-tippers to face the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA)

Borough news
Despite the Council’s ‘Don’t Trash Oldham’ call to residents, Liberal Democrats are dismayed to learn that the Labour Administration still chooses not to use its full legal powers to aid the prosecution of the selfish fly-tippers who do. Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE has written twice to the new Chief Executive Harry Catherall seeking reassurances that Council staff are using the special investigatory powers granted them under RIPA (the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000). This gives Councils’ powers to conduct covert surveillance to aid in the detection of certain offences and the prosecution of offenders. “Oldham’s Labour Council chooses not to use these powers against fly-tippers despite the law allowing them to do so,” said Councillor Sykes. “This seems short-sighted at a time when a further…
Read More
13Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
GM Mayor says Police report to remain secret until ‘appropriate’ to publish it

GM Mayor says Police report to remain secret until ‘appropriate’ to publish it

Borough news
Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE is ‘disappointed’ to hear that the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham does not intend to publish a report he commissioned about the failings of Greater Manchester Police until it is deemed ‘appropriate’. Commenting Councillor Sykes said: “This report was paid for with public money to identify the failings of a public service also paid for with public money, so my view is the sooner it is in the public domain the better. I am glad that the Mayor has at least finally responded (after a reminder), but this is a letter which says nothing, gives no real promises and sets no deadline as to when this report will see the light of day. “The Oldham Liberal Democrat Group will continue to…
Read More
10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must commit to inquiry into handling of COVID-19

Parliamentary news
Responding to today's COVID-19 update from the Prime Minister, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Parents and teachers will be asking why the Prime Minister is talking just about theme parks and zoos when so many parents want to hear about the practical steps to reopen schools safely in the weeks ahead.   “The fact remains that a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system is still the only way to keep people safe as we move out of lockdown. Yet the Government still hasn't delivered on this, and apparently won't be able to until September. Ministers can't even provide figures for the number of people being tested day-to-day.  “The Prime Minister needs to be utterly transparent about the barriers to opening schools, the limits to testing capacity and…
Read More