• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MayorWatch

London News and Comment

  • NEWS
  • Twitter

Tory AM Accused of Advocating Lower Police Spending

February 2, 2008 - Staff

Conservative Assembly Member Richard Barnes has been accused of suggesting the Mayor could spend less money on policing in the capital.

The Ealing Times quotes Mr Barnes, who is also a member of the Metropolitan Police Authority, as saying: “More police in London are always welcome, but I don’t think so much money should be spent on them.”

“Better policing could also be achieved by restructuring in the organisation.”

In a statement released by his campaign team Mr Livingstone called the reported remarks “an amazing statement, totally contradicting what most Londoners think about the need to fund our police service properly.”

“Time and time again in London we have seen the consequences of cuts to our public services and we cannot afford to go back to ill-judged cuts which damage London in the long time.”

The report follows a three-way row between the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidates over policing in the capital.

Mr Barnes has denied making the comments. telling MayorWatch: “I never said any such thing. Indeed, at the Budget debate at the London Assembly on 30th January I pleaged no cut in the police service budget, additional officers and an Automatic Number Plate Reading squad for every Borough – to improve road safety, crack down on tax and insurance non-payers and to deny criminals the roads.”

The Assembly Member has been at the forefront of calls for an independent investigation into a series of damaging allegations concerning the London Development Agency and has been vocal critic of Mayor Livingstone’s administration.

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Tagged With: 2008 GLA Election

RECENT UPDATES

852 new homes to be built in Acton by Transport for London

HGV operators in London urged to apply for a Direct Vision Standard permit

TfL proposes bus and tube cuts and annual fares increases to achieve long-term financial sustainability

London’s entire bus fleet now meets ULEZ emissions standards




Popular

1,700 extra Santander Cycles are coming to London’s streets

TfL confirms changes to Older Person’s Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster card hours

TfL fares to rise in return for £1.6bn Government rescue package

Election for Mayor of London and London Assembly postponed until 2021

FEATURED

City Hall to move to Docklands as Mayor seeks to raise £55m for frontline services

‘Concern’ over TfL’s ability to deliver major projects in wake of Crossrail cost overruns

City Hall halts London Overground ticket office closures but many will still see opening hours reduced

Transport for London confirms bus cuts will go ahead despite passenger opposition

GOT A STORY?

As the original London news and scrutiny site we've been casting an eye over the capital's public services and politicians since 1999.

 

Many of our top stories started with a tip-off from a reader - if you've got something you'd like us to cover get in touch and we'll do the rest.

Stay In Touch

  • E-mail
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021 MayorWatch Publications Limited · MayorWatch is Registered Trademark · All Rights Reserved · Contact Us · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy

MayorWatch Publications Limited · 20-22 Wenlock Road · London N1 7GU · Company Number 6291816

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.