Richard Howitt MEP: Letter to Leader of Southend Coucil

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Cllr Nigel HoldcroftLeader of the CouncilSouthend Borough CouncilCivic CentreVictoria AvenueSouthend-on-SeaEssexSS2 6ERBy first class post and by e-mail to:cllrholdcroft@southend.gov.uk robtinlin@southend.gov.uk 5 October 2011Dear Cllr. Holdcroft, dear Mr. Tinlin,

Serious allegation concerning links between Southend councillor and the English DefenceLeague

I have always valued my relationship with the local authority and am sorry to have to write to youconcerning a sensitive matter, which I think it is in the interests of the Council and of our jointconstituents in Southend to clarify as a matter of urgency.I read the report this week concerning the allegations that Cllr Blaine Robin took part in ameeting of the far right English Defence League planning their recent demonstration in EastLondon, where 60 arrests were made, that Cllr Blaine was apparently praised personally by theEDL's leader, and that the councillor has also both chosen to socialise with EDL supporters andmade positive references to the English Defence League in communications via his facebook pageand with specific reference to a local ESDL activist Mr Steve Riley.As Southend's Member of the European Parliament, I regret that I have encountered in our widerEuropean Parliament East of England constituency three demonstrations by the English DefenceLeague during the past year, when I have found them to cause inordinate cost and disruption toour police and local councils, to overtly spread a message that is racist and offensive, and to bringfear and division in to local communities. I sincerely hope that does not happen to Southend.To Cllr. Holdcroft, given your party leader's avowed opposition to the English Defence League, if this behaviour is confirmed, do you not agree that it would be incompatible for Cllr Robin toremain a member of your Group and indeed that your party should consider his membership?To Mr. Tinlin, I would ask you to investigate whether any computer or related facilities providedby the Council have been used in connection with the communications outlined above, andwhether this or the other reported activities could have led Cllr Robin to be in breach of theCouncil's Standing Orders or other standards of conduct as required of elected councillors? If so, Iwould request you to identify which courses of action the Council will take in response?Rob TinlinChief Executive & Town Clerk Southend Borough CouncilCivic CentreVictoria AvenueSouthend-on-SeaEssexSS2 6ER

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