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WALTHAM FOREST:Labour backs shamed councillor
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| Miranda Grell arriving at Waltham Forest Magistrates Court where she was convicted |
THE Labour Party has decided to fund shamed councillor Miranda Grell's appeal against a ruling that she smeared an election rival.
Grell won a Leyton ward seat for Labour, overturning a large majority held by Liberal Democrat Barry Smith.
But Grell, who was seen as a rising star in the Labour Party, has since been found guilty of claiming Barry Smith was a paedophile while canvassing for votes in last year's local elections.
The judgement means that she is disqualified from being a councillor for three years and has been suspended from her job as aide to the Deputy Mayor of London Nicky Gavron.
She is appealing the decision and a campaign, called Justice for Leyton Ward, was set up to raise the £30,000 Grell estimates she needs to fight and win her appeal.
But the national Labour Party has now agreed to pay for her legal costs until the appeal is over.
Justice for Leyton campaign chairman Andrew Lock said: "This is fantastic news for our campaign to get justice for the people of Leyton.
"People were shocked by the result of the trial, Miranda was the person who went out to speak to local people.
"She is an excellent councillor and a good friend. Although we no longer need money for legal costs our campaign will continue."
A Labour party spokesman refused to explain why the party was supporting Grell.
The party did not state that it believed Grell was innocent and did not answer a question asking whether the decision risked damaging the party's reputation.
No date has been announced for the appeal hearing, but it is expected to be in the next few weeks.
Grell is appealing the verdict, on the grounds that it went against the weight of the evidence heard at the trial, at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
She is expected to allege that the police investigation was flawed and that a racist plot was partly the reason why allegations were made against her.
5:52pm Monday 5th November 2007
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CommentPosted by: Parmo Green on 9:06pm Mon 5 Nov 07
Why not just re-run the election, with the public knowing that Garry Smith is not a paedophile. The voters would get to pick the candidate they want (without false info) and it would save a lot of dosh.
Why not just re-run the election, with the public knowing that Garry Smith is not a paedophile. The voters would get to pick the candidate they want (without false info) and it would save a lot of dosh.
Posted by: Parmo Green on 9:07pm Mon 5 Nov 07
[quote][bold]Parmo Green[/bold] wrote:
Why not just re-run the election, with the public knowing that Garry Smith is not a paedophile. The voters would get to pick the candidate they want (without false info) and it would save a lot of dosh.[/quote] Did I say Garry? I meant Barry.
Parmo Green wrote:
Why not just re-run the election, with the public knowing that Garry Smith is not a paedophile. The voters would get to pick the candidate they want (without false info) and it would save a lot of dosh.
Did I say Garry? I meant Barry.
Posted by: Kate, Loughton,Essex on 1:10pm Tue 6 Nov 07
Labour backs shamed councillor well thats Labour all over.
Labour backs shamed councillor well thats Labour all over.
Posted by: Observer on 1:22pm Tue 6 Nov 07
So tell us then, Kate, what would your beloved BNP do?
So tell us then, Kate, what would your beloved BNP do?
Posted by: efua scotland, London on 1:56pm Tue 6 Nov 07
I hate the way that race is being used as a tool to get her off something she did. This is a ward in a London borough – not a banana republic. She said those homophobic words to win the seat and is paying the consequence. I am very saddened by the actions of the Labour party. It is wrong to support someone who is so clearly in the wrong. I hope that in the run up to the general elections this issue of integrity blows up in its face and the chickens come running home to roost for both Miranda and the Labour Party. I shall not be voting for the Labour at the general or London elections in a marginal south-west London seat because of the actions of such an abhorrent person. And when my prospective parliamentary Labour candidate comes knocking on my door I shall tell him. So that justice is done in Leyton ward.
I hate the way that race is being used as a tool to get her off something she did. This is a ward in a London borough – not a banana republic. She said those homophobic words to win the seat and is paying the consequence. I am very saddened by the actions of the Labour party. It is wrong to support someone who is so clearly in the wrong. I hope that in the run up to the general elections this issue of integrity blows up in its face and the chickens come running home to roost for both Miranda and the Labour Party. I shall not be voting for the Labour at the general or London elections in a marginal south-west London seat because of the actions of such an abhorrent person. And when my prospective parliamentary Labour candidate comes knocking on my door I shall tell him. So that justice is done in Leyton ward.
Posted by: Kate, Loughton,Essex on 11:40pm Tue 6 Nov 07
[quote][bold]Observer[/bold] wrote:
So tell us then, Kate, what would your beloved BNP do?[/quote] Leave me alone Observer what is the matter with you.
Observer wrote:
So tell us then, Kate, what would your beloved BNP do?
Leave me alone Observer what is the matter with you.
Posted by: Luke, London on 10:19am Wed 7 Nov 07
What a joke! and now she is making a party which is struggling for cash waste more money - accept the fact you did something wrong and move on!
What a joke! and now she is making a party which is struggling for cash waste more money - accept the fact you did something wrong and move on!
Posted by: Alf, London on 1:08pm Wed 7 Nov 07
Here here Luke. If she has been found guilty in court of spreading vicious tales she should have the decency to shy away quietly. And as for it all being a racist plot - really, that is a last ditch effort is it not. Dear God.
Here here Luke. If she has been found guilty in court of spreading vicious tales she should have the decency to shy away quietly. And as for it all being a racist plot - really, that is a last ditch effort is it not. Dear God.
Posted by: Fran, Leyton on 4:29pm Wed 7 Nov 07
Labour’s Leyton Councillor, name of Miranda,
Successful conviction of Slander,
She called him a ”peado”,
“Oh no judge, no me tho”,
She’ll pay for her version of candour!
Labour’s Leyton Councillor, name of Miranda,
Successful conviction of Slander,
She called him a ”peado”,
“Oh no judge, no me tho”,
She’ll pay for her version of candour!
Posted by: jane on 2:27pm Thu 8 Nov 07
just a minute now, Miranda is maintainig her innocence - the appeal result will confirm or deny that, until then what any of us thinks doesn't matter
just a minute now, Miranda is maintainig her innocence - the appeal result will confirm or deny that, until then what any of us thinks doesn't matter
Posted by: efua scotland, London on 4:06pm Thu 8 Nov 07
jane, justice was done on 21 Sept. Miranda is just trying to get the result that suits her. if she is found innocent the only satisfaction i will get is that this scandal will hang her like a v bad smell.
jane, justice was done on 21 Sept. Miranda is just trying to get the result that suits her. if she is found innocent the only satisfaction i will get is that this scandal will hang her like a v bad smell.
Posted by: efua scotland, London on 4:21pm Thu 8 Nov 07
Jane you also have to remember that she used someone’s sexuality to try and win an local council election. She admitted saying that the Lib Dem councillor had a relationship with a 19 year old boy. If we give her the benefit of the doubt, she should not be complaining about the treatment she has received when she has devastated someone life and the ex Lib Dem councillor had to move out of the area because of a cause she made in that mans life. Lets remember who the victim is here – and it ain’t Miranda.
Jane you also have to remember that she used someone’s sexuality to try and win an local council election. She admitted saying that the Lib Dem councillor had a relationship with a 19 year old boy. If we give her the benefit of the doubt, she should not be complaining about the treatment she has received when she has devastated someone life and the ex Lib Dem councillor had to move out of the area because of a cause she made in that mans life. Lets remember who the victim is here – and it ain’t Miranda.
Posted by: Albert, Walthamstow on 8:55am Thu 22 Nov 07
It's an absolute disgrace that the Labour Party are bankrolling the appeal of someone who has ADMITTED using someone's sexuality for political leverage. Whether or not the paedophilia allegations are true, Miranda Grell's behaviour still reeks of brazen homophobia. Shame on her and shame on the Labour party for choosing to back someone who's content to use bigotry as a launchpad for her career.
It's an absolute disgrace that the Labour Party are bankrolling the appeal of someone who has ADMITTED using someone's sexuality for political leverage. Whether or not the paedophilia allegations are true, Miranda Grell's behaviour still reeks of brazen homophobia. Shame on her and shame on the Labour party for choosing to back someone who's content to use bigotry as a launchpad for her career.
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