Liberal Democrats have demanded that a senior Labour councillor apologises after he attacked a popular environmental scheme run by local residents and traders at last Monday’s Full Council meeting in Haringey.

Local Lib Dems were outraged after Labour environment boss Cllr Brian Haley branded the Crouch End Bag for Life, aimed at reducing plastic bag use in Crouch End, as “just a fashion statement”.

Cllr Lyn Weber (Crouch End) comments:

“People involved in this initiative will be deeply disappointed at these insulting remarks. Local traders worked very hard to introduce a scheme that truly shows a commitment at a local level to reduce the effects of climate change. I am shocked and appalled at Labour’s attacks that belittles what has been achieved.”

Cllr Neil Williams, Liberal Democrat leader and Highgate councillor adds:

“This just goes to show that Labour’s environmental credentials only go skin-deep. To brand a community effort aimed to help reduce the number of plastic bags as only a fashion statement is just what we expect from a Labour Council that could not bring itself to support similar schemes proposed by the Lib Dems for the whole of Haringey.”