THE Liberal Democrats have criticised a plan to honour disgraced former MP Harry Cohen at a town hall event.

The function, hosted by the Waltham Forest Muslim Burial Trust, is intended to mark the contribution to the community made by Labour MPs in the borough, with focus on Mr Cohen, who represented Leyton and Wanstead, and former Walthamstow member Neil Gerrard.

Mr Cohen stepped down at the last election after he was forced to apologise for breaking expenses rules.

He wrongly pocketed more than £70,000 for improvements to what he claimed was his "second" home in Woodcote Road, Wanstead.

But in fact he spent most of his time there and was rarely seen at his "main" home in Colchester which he rented out over long periods.

In January 2010 a parliamentary watchdog said that his actions were a "serious breach" of the rules and he was ordered to forgo a £65,000 golden goodbye when he left parliament.

Waltham Forest Lib Dem leader Cllr Bob Sullivan said the decision to honour Mr Cohen was "horrendous".

He said: "I was sent an invitation in the post and I couldn't believe it.

"The last person that we should honour is Harry Cohen. The last I heard was he was still under investigation.

"I think it's horrendous. It's absolutely crazy."

Current Leyton and Wanstead MP John Cryer and Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy have also agreed to attend the event in the council chamber on Friday March 4.

But Nasir Mahmood, vice chair of the Waltham Forest Muslim Burial Trust charity, said that organisers were still unsure whether Mr Cohen would actually attend.

He said: "His availability has not been confirmed yet and we've had some difficulties because we don't have his address."

Mr Mahmood acknowledges concerns about Mr Cohen's presence but said: "This is for all the MPs and he did some good things as well in the borough.

"He was active in the community for many years. I don't think this should be an issue".

Parliament's Committee on Standards and Privileges has appointed a third party to carry out a review of its report into Mr Cohen, which could mean his golden goodbye payment is handed over after all.

Mr Cohen sold his Wanstead house in July for a reported profit of £90,000.

It has been claimed by friends of Mr Cohen that he now lives at his home in Colchester, Essex.

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