News from Sheffield Labour

Local MP criticises Lib Dem abuse of power for political stunt in East Ecclesfield

Penistone & Stocksbridge Labour MP Angela Smith has today written to the Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council to demand an explanation as to why Council resources have been used in what seems to be a Lib Dem political stunt in East Ecclesfield.

Commenting, Angela said: “This afternoon, my office received a telephone call from the office of Nick Clegg MP providing two hours’ notice of a visit by Lynne Featherstone”.

Ms Featherstone, junior Home Office minister and Lib Dem MP for Hornsey and Green Wood, had arranged a visit the Sheffield Domestic Abuse Partnership office based in Ms Smith’s constituency. The Home Office has denied that this was an official visit, and on contacting Sheffield City Council about the status of the visit Ms Smith was told that the Council officer would “contact Nick Clegg’s constituency office”.

It has since emerged that Cllr Shaffaq Mohammed, Sheffield City Council Cabinet Member for Communities, had first made the request for the visit. There is a long-standing rule that Council officers do not become publically involved in political activities.

Commenting further Angela said: “It would be entirely reasonable for a Minister to make an official visit related to his or her portfolio. The Home Office has denied that this was an official visit however, and so I am absolutely astonished that there has been such an apparent abuse of taxpayers’ money in this political stunt. Nick Clegg should spend more time looking out for the interests of people in Sheffield, and less time using unwitting council officers to further his party’s interests in neighbouring constituencies.”

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