The jury trying a Labour member of Waltham Forest Borough Council has been told by prosecutors that she spread lies about her Lib Dem opponent in order to win election by just 28 votes in 2006.
It is alleged that she told voters that her opponent – a gay Lib Dem councillor in a long-term relationship with a 39-year-old Malaysian – ‘was living with a 16-year-old Thai boy’ and that he ‘slept around with boys under the age of 15’. Local residents have taken to the stand to testify to such doorstep slurs of paedophilia. The Lib Dem councillor, who had been a Portfolio Holder, was subsequently threatened and spat at in public. He has since moved away from the area.
The Labour councillor denies the charges of making false statements at an election. More reports of the trial in the local press and the Times.
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12 Comments
You know that “The Voice” is a newspaper based in London but with national circulation? Would be sensible to change the pen name given the subject. Which is a veritable russian doll of alleged smearage topped with an example in the courts and newspapers of what may turn out to be be real smearage. But let’s not prejudge.
Nice attempt to divert attention from a Labour politician accused of the vilest of dirty tricks, Chris.
Unfortunately for you, you’ve been commenting on this site for most of the year it’s been running, so you can be proven to have known that ‘The Voice’ has been posting on here all year, too, despite your wish to make it look as if it’s some unique smear against Labour’s alleged disgusting smearer, who you think deserves special favours. My heart bleeds.
You really think ‘Voice’ is such a unique word? It’s in the name of the site, after all. I doubt you’ll succeed in confusing anyone.
I await the judgement with interest – good to see unprejudiced local residents coming forward.
Should the judgement go in Mr Smith’s favour three things spring to mind:
1) Given all these slurs he only lost by 28 votes! He must have been doing something right!
2) It’s hard enough for parties to attract local govt candidates – whatever happens in this judgement it’ll make it harder
3) Why didn’t Cllr Grell call the Police or some other authority?
In another local press piece not linked above, it is reported that Miranda Grell admitted to have told voters that the LD councillor was gay and that he had a 19 year old Thai boyfriend.
Even if it may legal to refer to someone’s sexual orientation whilst canvassing, why did she feel the need to report it to some voters? In what context did she say it? Was she just trying and gain advantage with close minded voters?
You know that “The Voice” is a newspaper based in London but with national circulation? Would be sensible to change the pen name given the subject. Which is a veritable russian doll of alleged smearage topped with an example in the courts and newspapers of what may turn out to be be real smearage. But let’s not prejudge.
My God! Chris, despite your unhealthy obsession with John Leach I do find you to be a relatively sensible person as far as LDV trolls are concerned. But this? On a website called Lib Dem Voice? Desperate, mate, desperate.
Chris,
If Miranda Grell did what she’s accused of she doesn’t deserve defending whatever party she’s a member of.
According to the BBC website the accused’s colleague is giving evidence against her:
“Nicholas Russell told Waltham Forest magistrates his running mate, Miranda Grell, had a “disgusting attitude”.
“He said Ms Grell told voters her rival Barry Smith claimed to be married yet had a 14-year-old Thai boyfriend.”
Is that the Nicholas Russell who is (now) the 6th Earl Russell (ie Conrads son)
Certainly was a Labour actvist when he was at Lancaster and I believe since.
According to the BBC, yes, it is Conrad Russell’s son. A few other Labour supporters have given evidence for the Prosecution as well.
I see two of the charges against Miranda Grell were dropped today.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6993949.stm
I am glad that these allegations are being considered in court.
It is important that such things are not overlooked and challenged straight away.
Well done to the residents who came forward to testify.
New update here:
http://www.blink.org.uk/pdescription.asp?key=15432&grp=66&cat=433