There was outrage following the full Haringey Council meeting where the Labour group on Haringey Council moved to abolish the borough’s respected watchdog committee on local crime issues.The Lib Dems say they will be seeking advice from the borough’s legal watchdog on the controversial move, which will be a blow to policing issues in the borough.

The party says that the move shows yet again that the Labour Council holds the scrutiny process in contempt. Cllr Lynne Featherstone, along with Highgate councillor Melanie Simpson, had been nominated as the Lib Dem representatives on the committee – but neither was informed of the plans to sweep the body away. Lib Dems say the move will anger local residents, as Ms Featherstone has been highly prominent on policing issues in the borough, with her high profile campaign to reopen the police station front counter at Muswell Hill – despite a total lack of support from Haringey Labour.

Lib Dem Leader Neil Williams, who spoke out against the plans at full council yesterday, comments:

“This is a totally cynical move from Labour, who have removed a committee where Lynne Featherstone was playing an extremely valuable role. Even the former Labour chair of the body has paid tribute to her work.

“This is not the end of the matter, as we believe that Haringey Labour have clearly acted outside the rules. It is yet another appalling example of Labour bringing the whole scrutiny service into disrepute.”