Anger as Labour Leader forced to make public apology in Council chamber for misuse of council resources

12.55.39pm GMT Tue 21st Mar 2006

Labour Councillor Charles Adje, Leader of Haringey Council, was last night forced to offer a full, if begrudging, apology to the Council group and the residents of Haringey for using Council resources and time to organise Labour Party campaign meetings.

At the meeting of Haringey's Full Council last night, Councillor Adje was grilled by Liberal Dem Leader Neil Williams, who had in the past weeks uncovered evidence showing that the Labour Leader had been personally aware of the Labour Party using Council HQ River Park House for their campaign meetings. Councillor Adje looked flustered and embarrassed as he explained that the Labour Party had now reimbursed the Council for the use of the room and that he now understood that taxpayers' money should not be used for party political purposes.

Councillor Neil Williams, Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, said: "I find it astonishing that the Leader of the Council needs to be reminded that Council resources are not to be used in this way for political advantage. The Council is not a tuck shop to be dipped into by the Labour party when it is in trouble. Councillor Adje should really know better."