Brian Coleman keeps his position as ward councillor (From Times Series)
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Barnet Council's Brian Coleman keeps his position as ward councillor
3:35pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in News
Brian Coleman has been charged with assault by beating
Brian Coleman will not lose his position as a ward councillor after being charged with assault, Barnet Borough Council has confirmed.
In a statement the council said: “The council is aware that Councillor Brian Coleman has been charged with criminal offences and is due to appear before Hendon Magistrates court on 5 November 2012.
“The matter is therefore subject to judicial process and it would not be appropriate for the council to make any further comment that could be prejudicial to that process.
“Councillor Coleman continues as a ward councillor, his committee membership and chairmanship is a matter for full Council.”
Comments(19)
Don't Call Me Dave
says...
3:55pm Mon 22 Oct 12
OhWiseOne
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4:19pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Jon10
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4:46pm Mon 22 Oct 12
The North London Waste Authority has also failed to suspend him.
Rosie Canning
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12:07am Tue 23 Oct 12
10.gov.uk/Contact.as
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GRG
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8:59am Tue 23 Oct 12
educated
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9:46am Tue 23 Oct 12
I suppose there is the other option that he is sent for trial.
Any way, the Council will not be caught wrong-footed.
BarnetTrader
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10:33am Tue 23 Oct 12
They are no-footed! They've sold them off and they are now wandering around some call centre in India!
Barnet council haven't a clue on how to prepare for anything - that's why they are wasting millions on 'consultants'.
Headabovetheparapet
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12:09pm Tue 23 Oct 12
https://email.number
10.gov.uk/contact.as
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(Without the large C.) On facebook, the link comes up with a picture preview...Everyone totally amazed and disgusted may I add....it will be THE topic amongst Barnet Facebookers today.
dawat6295
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7:34pm Wed 24 Oct 12
They seem to be in a state of paralysis, acting like Rabbits in the headlight of a car.
Whilst they may think that this 'neutral' stance will not damage them, I think that they are living in cloud cuckoo land. Having anything to do with Brian Coleman will act like a weight attached to a swimmer and they will be dragged under and drown with him.
Politicians in my experience have a high sense of self preservation and if they are to survive the next election, they need to be seen to totally distance themselves form Mr. Coleman both as Councillors and as Conservatives. If they don't the electorate will do it for them. If the Councillors don't believe me there's an easy way to find out, just carry on as they are.
Devonshire
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11:12am Thu 25 Oct 12
Headabovetheparapet
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11:59am Thu 25 Oct 12
I think that in the light of many recorded incidents of Mr Colemans violent temper, he should stand down until he has attended successful anger management classes. Didn't he LOSE the election this year. why is he still here, or was it only his place on the London Assembly??
educated
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12:03pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Back in 2009-2010 he was Mayor Barnet.
Headabovetheparapet
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1:10pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Hunted999
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2:23pm Thu 25 Oct 12
You raise fair points about democracy and not depriving the electorate of their chosen councillor but maybe the good people of Totteridge need protecting from themselves if they keep voting for him!!!
Their judgement must be flawed because they've also saddled us with the increasingly bizarre (non) Leader Cornelius a.k.a the self-styled Dr. Evil.
educated
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3:35pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Headabovetheparapet wrote:I don't know what the law says about remaining a Councillor if you are convicted of a crime.
So we are stuck with him until the elections. I do hope that he will learn from this experience, but sadly I don't hold out hope. Thanks educated...
Also, in Parliament if you lose the Party Whip you can continue as an Independent. I don't know if the same applies to local councils.
Methodman
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9:35pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Should he be given the benefit of the doubt?
As a former chair of the fire authority Brian Coleman must be well aware that there is no smoke without fire.
The litany of previous run ins with lowly plebs stands as testament to how he views his place in society,maybe it's a Tory failing.
Cadwallader
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8:55pm Fri 26 Oct 12
He should be given the benefit of the boot.
Headabovetheparapet
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1:47pm Sat 27 Oct 12
Don't Call Me Dave says...
3:53pm Mon 22 Oct 12
What the council could (and should) have done is to suspend him from his committee membership and chairmanship until the case was over. Given the serious nature of the matter (alleged assault), it would have been an entirely reasonable position to adopt. But, as usual, Richard Cornelius has bottled it. Coleman knows his political career is crashing and he is going to take the whole Conservative council with him. It will serve them right, but residents will suffer as we will end up with another ghastly Labour administration.
Coleman is due to chair a council committee on Wednesday. The other members of the committee should all stay away. If the meeting isn’t quorate, it can’t go ahead. This gives the council time to convene a full meeting and remove Mr Coleman from his position. It’s democracy in action, as Coleman himself would be the first to admit.
Irrespective of any council action, Brian Coleman can have the Conservative whip removed by the Party but don’t hold your breath for any decisive action from the leader.