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NEWS RELEASE
from the
Liberal Democrats on Harlow District Council |
| Contact | Cllr Lorna Spenceley (home 324676, mobile 07930 337596) |
| Release | Tuesday 6 January 2004 (for immediate release) |
Cllr Matthew Shepherd
Liberal Democrats on Harlow Council have taken the first step towards excluding Cllr Matthew Shepherd from the Liberal Democrat group.
A meeting of the group on Saturday 3 January voted unanimously to call a special group meeting on Saturday 10 January, at which they will consider a motion formally excluding Cllr Shepherd. Cllr Shepherd was invited to the group meeting on Saturday 3 January, but did not attend.
Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Spenceley said:
"The Liberal Democrat group wrote to Cllr Shepherd on 3 January, offering him a final opportunity to step aside as Chair of the Licensing Committee pending the outcome of any ongoing investigation or inquiry.
"If Cllr Shepherd had taken this opportunity, he would have been welcome to remain as a member of the Liberal Democrat group throughout, and would have received our full support.
"This opportunity was not taken, and we therefore, with much regret, feel it is now necessary to begin the process of formally excluding Cllr Shepherd from the group. This action is in no way intended to prejudge the outcome of any such inquiry, investigation or any other process."
ENDS
Note: at the following Group Meeting held on 10th January
2004, Matthew was excluded from the Liberal Democrat Group.