What Brian Coleman told the Standards investigator in his interview

During the course of the Standards Complaint interview between Councillor Brian Coleman and Melanie Carter, the independent investigator, Brian Coleman said many things which require a bit closer scrutiny. Some because they are, shall we say "slightly at odds with things of public record", some because they are funny, and some because a few people might be rather surprised that Brian Coleman said them. These are taken from my scanned copy of his statement. This document was published on the Council's website among the background papers.

There are other things which I could have also included, but to quote Mayor Coleman, "life's too short".

In this extract, Brian Coleman states that I turn up at virtually every residents forum an I attack people. There are approx 18 of these a year in Barnet. I've been to 3 in my life. At the last one I went to, I asked a question about the state of the football pitches at Burnt Oak Leisure Centre, where my son plays football. This is a matter of public record.

I've never stood for Council (although having seen how rotten the Standards process is, I'm seriously thinking about it). This again is a matter of public record. I cannot believe that Brian Coleman would make such a claim without checking his facts. 

In this answer he specifically accuses me of making an anti semitic statement and being a homophobe. With regards to the Anti semitic statement, the phrase he refers to is one that a Barnet Council video featured on it's You Tube website. I stridently criticised the council for allowing this to be featured. You can read the blog here which details the incident.

http://barneteye.blogspot.com/2008/10/barnet-councils-incompetance-puts-nazi.html

Coleman and his legal team must have known this. My blog is all on public record. There is no homophobia and no anti semitism. If there was, Coleman's £10,000 lawyer would have been over it like a rash. One other point regarding the Watling festival. I was actually organising a 5-a-side tournament for 8-10 year olds when Coleman turned up. Anyone who has ever organised an event for 50 children will know you are too busy to behave in the way Coleman alleges. Ho hum.

Now this is the Barnet Eye, we like to look at the funnier side of things as well. We've well documented Brian Coleman's speech impediment "Call me Bwian" - Anyway, here's a video of Mayor Coleman. Does he preonounce "R"s as "W"'s as I said (comparing him to Monty Pythons Pontius Pilate in the Life of Brian) or not.  As ever, you be the judge.



Another highlight. This is something which I totally believe Brian Coleman when he says it. He tells us what his Tory Colleagues think of the Barnet Eye and what they are really like. Sound like a lovely bunch, don't they. I wonder if Freer, Hillan, Offord, Tambourides, Hart, etc recognise themselves from Brian Colemans description

Last but by no means least. A little quote that quite a few people may enjoy.

 

I'm having a couple of days off blogging. I'll be back nice and sharp at 11am on Wednesday, so until then, adios amigo's.I've got a song to write for a great singer and I need to cleans my soul of Brian Coleman. To all my Jewish friends and readers I wish you a fullfilling fast and to everyone else enjoy what's left of the weekend and I hope like me you've enjoyed the weather.I'm off to have a glass of wine and pick up my guitar.

Brian Coleman Exclusive : Coleman the dangerous hypocrite is exposed

Here's a question for you. What is a higher priority for the London Fire Brigade

a) Attending to a house where a Mother with young children thinks the Boiler is about to explode.

or

b) Providing a nice story for a Conservative MP's website & publicity material.

Well I know what I think is more important. What does Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority think ?

a) "It is an utter disgrace that Lynne Featherstone rang 999 for fire fighters to come her home after she reported a knocking noise coming from her central heating system."

b) "I am delighted that under my leadership, all Barnet Residents are entitled to a free Home Fire Safety Visit. Theresa has led the way in having one and I would encourage all Barnet Residents to do likewise. "

So what is the difference between Lynne Featherstone and Theresa Villiers. Villiers is a colleague of Brian Coleman. She's the MP for Chipping Barnet and the Shadow Transport spokesperson. Lynne Featherstone is a Liberal Democrat MP and an opponent of Brian Coleman. Brian Coleman is prepared to sacrifice issues of public safety to score cheap points at the expense of opponents. In this case opponents who were behaving rather sensibly. Lynne Featherstone details the incident in her blog - http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org/2008/12/brian-coleman-and-fire-brigade.htm . I found this whole story completely disgusting. The crass sexism of Coleman's comments were appalling. I would go as far as to say he brought his committe into disrepute and should be sacked from his £25,000 a year post as chairman of the committee

So ask yourself this. If your neighbour in the flat above you thinks their gas system is about to explode and the neighbour below you want's a visit from the fire brigade to advise them on home safety, which would you rather they attended to first?

Don't get me wrong, I think it is good that the Fire Brigade do home safety visits. I even think it's good that Theresa Villiers used her website to get a bit of publicity for herself and the brigade to publicise the service - http://www.theresavilliers.com/article/?id=367&PHPSESSID=95f90abf3176c5d36cd5f0593e719a50 - I just can't stomach the way a man in public office twists the role to help his friends and harm his enemies.