Lyon stands by Coleman and vows to re-open Lane to traffic (From Times Series)

Lyon stands by Coleman and vows to re-open Lane to traffic

2:48pm Thursday 3rd April 2003

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Conservative council leader Victor Lyon has defended fellow Tory councillor Brian Coleman after Opposition calls for his resignation over his handling of the Partingdale Lane saga.

High Court judge Rabinder Singh singled Mr Coleman out for special criticism on Wednesday when he ruled that Barnet Council had re-opened Partingdale Lane unlawfully due to a flawed public consultation. He said Mr Coleman, who as cabinet member for the environment took the leading role in the decision, "did not have an open mind" on the issue and decided to re-open the lane before any consultation had taken place.

He specifically banned Mr Coleman from taking any part the decision-making process should the council decide to try again to re-open the former rat run between Mill Hill and Woodside Park to traffic.

Andrew Dismore, the Labour MP for Hendon MP, said it was the worst criticism he had heard of a councillor by a High Court judge since Dame Shirley Porter and the Westminster Council 'homes for votes' scandal.

"For a personal criticism from a judge like this, it's very serious," said Mr Dismore. "It shows he completely overstepped the mark. I think he should seriously consider his position. If he doesn't, then Victor should sack him," he said.

But Mr Lyon was standing by his fellow Totteridge ward councillor. He said: "No I don't think he should resign. He didn't do anything illegal as far as the council was concerned."

But Mr Lyon did distance himself personally from Mr Coleman's actions in August last year, saying he had been away at the time. He also accepted that the council had been wrong not to take the consultation process more seriously.

"Unfortunately, while I was away he decided to take the decision under delegated powers, perfectly lawfully," said Mr Lyon, who went on to take issue with the High Court judgment.

"I maintain that the consultation process had taken place at the time when the road was closed [in 1997]. Normal people will say a tremendous amount of consultation was carried out. If the feeling is still the same is it necessary to go out and do it all again? On this particular occasion maybe our thinking was flawed. We were wrong and we should have done."

Mr Lyon added that irrespective of the judge's decision, the council would continue to push for Partingdale Lane to be re-opened.

"It's highly likely it was part of our policy and that hasn't changed," he said. Of course Mr Coleman will be able to play no part in the decision, should they pursue that route.

Liberal Democrat leader Monroe Palmer joined the criticism of Mr Coleman, saying he was costing taxpayers thousands of pounds.

"The reason Coleman should resign is because of the vast amount of money that Barnet Council tax payers are having to pay because of him. If you count senior council officers' time, the figure would be in excess of £200,000," he said.

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