Outrage descended into farce as yet more confidential files were found in a vacated council building occupied by squatters – despite Labour-run Haringey Council announcing that it had rescued the files and made them secure.

The issue arose when local Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone was at the Crouch End site with a BBC TV crew to conduct an interview on the issue. Squatters occupying the building produced yet more files from inside.The Lib Dems, who reported the matter to Haringey Council, believe the files are now back in the possession of Haringey Council – but are demanding to know how this could have happened.

MP Lynne Featherstone comments:

“It is almost impossible to believe that having been aware of this problem since Friday, Haringey Council appears to have failed to take effective steps to clear this building of confidential information.

“As ever with Haringey Council, it is clear their concerns were mainly to protect their own backs by issuing misleading claims that the information was secured, even though it seems they hadn’t even checked the building. It is scandalous.”

Lib Dem Leader and Highgate councillor Neil Williams, who successfully secured an apology and an independent investigation from the Labour Leader of Haringey Council in an emergency debate at last night’s Full Council meeting, adds:

“It is disgraceful that four days later, we are still in the dark about whether Haringey Council has secured these records. Haringey must indemnify anyone against potential breaches of their privacy, and we will be watching to ensure that a truly independent inquiry takes place. It beggars belief how incompetence on such a grotesque scale can happen.”