Forum Topic

Calls for Ealings HS2 lead to resign

Cllr Bassam Mahfouz has been caught out telling porkies to residents who are most affected by the proposed high sppeed route,A freedom of information enquiry has exposed his claim to be knocking on every door in government as complete nonsense. The 51M group which Cllr Mahfouz promised to join if the decision went against residents made 6 representations in the four months before january 11th. Ealing council made none. Residents need the coucnil to represent them, not pretend to represent them. Cllr Jason stacey has called for Mahfouz to resign. http://wwwcolmcostello.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/calls-for-ealings-hs2-lead-to-resign.html

Colm Costello ● 5133d3 Comments

OK, I thought the foi went to the Council.

George Knox ● 5131d

GeorgeI may have misunderstood you here. Did you think that the foi was to Ealing council. It was to the department for transport. As far as Bassams response, he has said they sent two letters to the DFT, both of them after the announcement of the route. What use is that to the residents. They needed him "knocking on every door in government" before not after the event and that is what he promised.

Colm Costello ● 5131d

I don’t understand this. Was the FOI request badly worded, or was the Council Officer incompetent in his enquiries before he produced the response?Bassam is jumping around saying the allegations are false. He has to be careful under democratic rules to avoid misleading people. So surely he would not dare continue the alleged position of misleading?  To me the real question is how well does the FOI system work at Ealing Council, and does the Chief Executive need to check it out.So, Colm should you be treading more carefully?

George Knox ● 5131d