Liverpool Council suspends letter system amid 'political misuse' allegation
The Cunard Building, where Liverpool City Council is based
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool City Council has suspended its street letter system for councillors and launched an investigation into allegations of misuse.
The street letter system allows elected councillors to print and distribute letters to residents in their wards about local issues and their work as councillors. The letters must not be used for party political purposes.
However on Monday evening, all councillors were contacted by the council's head of governance Michael Jones to say the entire system had been suspended.
READ MORE:
The email from Mr Jones, seen by the ECHO, said: "Please be advised that with immediate effect and until otherwise advised, I have suspended the street letter system to investigate potential misuse for election campaigning purposes.
"No street letters will be authorised or released to the print room until further notice from me."
The ECHO understands the allegations relate to political campaign material related to the forthcoming city council elections.
Reacting to the news, Cllr Richard Kemp, the council's opposition leader and Lib Dem chief said those involved should be named and shamed.
He said: "The ability of councillors to use the mail system to get out information to their community about local actions and things that the council is doing is a great tool for councillors who usually have to balance jobs, life as well as council work.
"I am am outraged if this system has been abused for party political purposes. Taxpayers have paid enough for political excesses inside the council and they should not have to pay to subsidise political activity at their expense.
"I have written to the Head of Democratic Services, Mike Jones asking him to name and shame councillors who have abused the facility after his due investigation.
"He should also insist on the councillor(s) concerned paying back the full cost of the abuse, including the staff costs. I doubt that a Liberal Democrat Councillor is involved here but if they were I would insist on a full repayment to the council and an apology".
A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: The street letter system has been suspended while we make enquiries into an allegation of misuse for election campaigning purposes.
READ MORE:
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 11:03 am