TWO Labour councillors at Warrington have made formal apologies to a Liberal Democrat councillor over false allegations concerning land at Peel Hall.
The allegations were published in Labour leaflets distributed in the Poulton North and Poplars and Hulme wards by Cllr Brian Maher and Cllr Geoff Settle (left).
Both councillors have apologised to Liberal Democrat councillor Bob Barr (right) on the North West Labour website following legal action taken by the Liberal Democrats.
Labour have paid £1,000 for the cost of the action.
The leaflets implied that council officers were having secret meetings with a developer and “negotiating” development at Peel Hall, with the knowledge or the complicity of the Liberal Democrats. This was untrue.
Cllr Barr said: “We want to see a higher standard of political debate in Warrington.
“We are offering Labour the opportunity to enter into a pact where both parties will provide factual evidence on demand for allegations made in leaflets. If either side makes a mistake or publishes an incorrect or untrue item in their literature they will correct it and apologise.
“We very much hope that all campaigners in Warrington will agree to abide by this 
code. This will raise the standard of political debate and mean we can work together for the good of the people of Warrington where we agree, but have honest argument based on checkable facts when we don’t.”
In their apologies, the two Labour councillors both acknowledge that Liberal Democrat councillors, including Cllr Barr, were not involved in any “secret deal.”
They say they are sorry the leaflet was open to be interpreted in that way and that it was not their intention to suggest any such allegation.
Labour apology over secret deal claim
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
6 Comments
Does this imply that officers have been meeting with developers to negotiate a deal then? Just that they didn’t tell Bob Barr about it?
Sounds familiar.
If you want to know what officers discussed ring the Contact Centre 01925 443322 and ask for the Planning department to send you a copy of the Freedom of Information response to Helen Jones MP.
I think you will conclude that the discussions were neither ‘secret’ nor were they ‘negotiations’
Bob
Is this the response refusing to hand over the requested information?
No this is the response listing the meetings that were held, in which the Council’s opposition to development at Peel Hall was made clear.
Thanks Bob. Let’s see if that’s an end to it.
I don’t recall Mr Barr appologising over the Walton Hall and Gardens shenanigans!