Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Labour councillor accused of hypocrisy and buck-passing

A TOP Labour councillor in Gateshead has been accused of hypocrisy and buck-passing by a leading Liberal Democrat in the borough over the closure of Lobley Hill Library.

Kevin Dodds, Labour member for Lobley Hill and Bensham, who describes himself as a “senior Labour councillor”, has sent a leaflet to residents of Lobley Hill claiming the proposal to close the local library was the suggestion of officers of the authority.

But Liberal Democrat Councillor Jonathan Wallace has called on Cllr Dodds to withdraw the attack on officers.

“Never before have I seen a member of the ruling Labour group on Gateshead Council try to blame officers of the council for what is a political decision,” said Dr Wallace.

“The closure of Lobley Hill Library is a decision of Labour councillors. To blame officers for the proposal to axe the library is blatant buck-passing and an attempt by Labour to avoid responsibility for their own decisions.

“What makes the situation worse is that Kevin Dodds, in the same leaflet, was posing as the champion of “library provision” at a time when his own group was planning to shut down the local library.

“If Councillor Dodds does not understand hypocrisy, I suggest he makes a visit to Lobley Hill Library to look up the meaning of the word. But he had better be quick and get to the building before his party closes it down.”

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