Arrested and bailed; Brian Coleman
Last night Brian Coleman, the infamous former chair of the London fire authority and advocate of mass privatisation, was arrested by police on suspicion of common assault after an incident outside a parade of shops in North Finchley.
He has been given police bail pending further inquiries into the alleged assault on Buzz cafe owner, Helen Michael, who fought a strong campaign against his privatised parking scheme during Coleman’s failed attempt to be re-elected as London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden. (See http://snipelondon.com/scoop/brian-coleman-arrested-on-suspicion-of-assault )
By sheer coincidence not many miles away at St Albans magistrates court comments have been raised following another leading Tory pleading guilty to 23 charges of creating and viewing child pornography, including two extreme images. ( seehttp://bit.ly/Qr2osV) He will be sentenced on October 15.
Stephen Holmes, former Mayor of Dacorum and deputy chairman of Hertfordshire children’s services, was also a leading advocate of Tory privatisation.
Let’s make it clear I am NOT linking the two men – I don’t know even if they know each other – nor suggesting that all privatisers are violent or paedophiles.
The link is to compare what the Conservatives have done about it. Dacorum Tories in Hemel Hempstead immediately suspended Holmes following his arrest and he stood down as a borough and county councillor BEFORE even going to trial.
Stephen Holmes; Tories acted fast when police arrested him for keeping child pornography
Dacorum Tories are also looking to appoint an independent ombudsman to look into complaints against councillors – particularly as people are asking what checks the party does when it selects candidates who are supposed to be trustworthy individuals.
Barnet Conservatives seem to indulge Coleman no matter what he says, what he does and who he insults. Given what happened last night it seems to me the Conservatives owe it to the electorate to suspend him from any remaining posts in Barnet and if found guilty they should demand his resignation.
If not Grant Shapps, the new chairman of the Tory Party who knows all about Coleman, should insist the party takes action.
