Commenting on the Haringey Labour council group’s internal election results, Lib Dem Leader Cllr Ross Laird, said:

“These results show that Haringey’s Labour councillors are utterly divided, and unable to provide new ideas for the borough.

“In sticking to the old leadership, despite the intense criticism from the Climbie Inquiry, Labour councillors have rejected a fresh start for the Council.

“And with such a close vote for leader, Labour is clearly split down the middle. Such a totally divided and inward-looking Labour group is unlikely to provide the clear leadership needed to deal with Haringey’s many pressing problems.

Cllr Lynne Featherstone adds:

“It seems that those Labour councillors who are frank enough to admit the Council’s failings will be removed from their positions by the Labour machine.

“Cllr Gideon Bull, who has owned up to the Council’s dreadful record on consulting local people, has been purged from the Labour executive. On the other hand, Ray Dodds, who has presided over several botched consultations, has been promoted. It is a very depressing spectacle.”