AN UNFAIR COP? BNP INQUIRY STALLS

26-05-2007

More than ten weeks after a Sandwell Councillor allegedly broke the law for voting at a budget meeting while being in arrears with his council tax, The Stirrer can reveal that the police haven’t even spoken to him or met with the local authority to discuss the case.

In March, we broke the story that a member of the far-right party had taken part in the meeting despite being more than two months behind with his payments - which is illegal. (see the story here)

James Lloyd, the BNP leader in Sandwell and a councillor for Princes End admitted that he might be guilty - which if true, could render him liable to a fine or imprisonment and see him lose his seat (link here )

Since then, Lloyd hasn’t been seen at a council meeting, prompting unfounded rumours that he may have been suspended. He hasn’t been, but says that he’s been working in Birmingham and arriving home too late to attend.

Lloyd told us: “I don’t believe there is an investigation. I’ve heard nothing at all.”

Our sources tell us a different story - one of official incompetence and dithering.

Sandwell Council referred the story in the first instance to the Director of Public Prosecutions who then passed it on to the Crown Prosecution Service. The CPS, in turn, said it was a police matter.

A meeting was then arranged between the Council and the cops - who then cancelled it, saying that something more urgent had come up.

Fair enough, you might think - but council sources say they’ve had no luck re-arranging it.

Councillor Darren Cooper, Sandwell’s cabinet member for children and young people was appalled: “This is a farce. What kind of message does this send out to the community if someone who is alleged to have broken the law isn’t even investigated properly.

“It’s an absolute disgrace. I’ll be calling on our local MP’s to ask why no action has been taken.”