Readers will recall that we recently reported on Michael Barnbrook’s complaint to the Metropolitan Police and standards commisioner about Jacqui Smith MP and also his complaint to Kent Police in regard to comments made by a Labour party activist to the Independent newspaper following the Swanley by-election.
Michael has been in touch to keep us updated:
With reference to my complaint to the Tonbridge Race Hate Unit regarding the alleged comments in the Independent by a Labour activist by the name of Lesley Dyball.Constable Nova O’Leary from the unit telephoned me on 16th March, 2009, to inform me that she has spoken to Ms Dyball about her alleged comments that BNP supporters chanted “blacks out” after the result was declared.According to Constable O’Leary, although Ms Dyball did make a complaint of a racist incident having taken place, at no stage did she mention or implicate the British National Party as having been involved in the incident.It appears therefore, that in addition to the photograph that appeared in the same article that attracted over one thousand complaints to the Press Complaints Commission, Ms Dyball is alleging that she has been misquoted by Jerome Taylor, the journalist who wrote the article.I intend to make a further complaint to the Press Complaints Commission alleging that the sole intention of the article appears to be no more than an attempt to demonise the British National Party, a legitimate political party.
With reference to my complaint against Jacqui Smith, MP, regarding her claims for additional Costs Allowance.I have received a letter from the office of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, dated 10th March, 2009, informing me that the matter has been referred to Chief Superintendent Nigel Mawer of the Economic and Specialist Crime Unit at New Scotland Yard for a suitable response to be sent to me regarding the contents of my letter to him on 5th March, 2009.I have also received a response from Mr John Lyon, the Parliamentary commissioner for Standards, regarding my third letter to him on 5th March, 2009.He acknowledges the comments made by me in that letter and will take note of them during the course of his investigation.I will keep you updated as and when I receive further letters.Kindest regards,Michael Barnbrook,Spokesman on Policing and Crime matters.
We’d like to thanks Michael for this update and for his continued excellent work.
