GLA Conservative Leader, Andrew Boff, joins calls to end housing families in Tower Blocks

Leader of the London Assembly Conservative Group, Andrew Boff AM, was on ITV London Tonight calling on an to families being housed in Tower Blocks. He endorses the respected joint work of Create Streets and Policy Exchange who argue that state regulation through the planning system has led to:

super high density and high rise, box sized flats, the smallest in Europe and smaller than ever before in the UK.

The report highlights the swift failure state led social engineering and design of the 1960s and calls for 

Recent changes to the planning system (that) give a chance to change this that local government and neighbourhoods should seize to take control of redevelopment in their area

As you will see in the clip Robert Oxley of the Taxpayer's Alliance, takes an unexpected position against allowing the market to provide the housing that polling consistently shows people want and pretty much advocates the line put out by London Labour via their spokesman Tom Copley AM. We have contacted them for a clarification as to why TPA opposes what many view as the deregulatory position of those above.

Chipping Barnet MP and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland recently took a passionate stance against 'Tower Blocks' in a residential setting (albeit just outside of her constituency and borough). Video below.

Is Andrew Boff right? Is this deregulation or what the TPA claims: lecturing from politicians? Do you think the market should provide the housing people say they demand or government and developers provide volume of housing and expect you to be grateful for it? Disqus below...

TV and Video footage from Brian Coleman's Criminal conviction assault today

ITV News carried this report as it's lead item today

As did the BBC. Very rare for the same story to lead both London news' - the BBC used our footage in their report for which we got an acknowledgment (take note One Show!)

Our footage of Helen Michael being interviewed by BBC / ITV on the steps of the court

And a reminder, as to many the themes (and indeed the defence) will sound eerily familiar, of the BBC London TV report of the Standards Board finding against Brian Coleman in response to Mr Roger Tichborne's complaint

Brian Coleman has, so far, been unavailable for comment

Liveblog from Uxbridge Magistrates Crown v Brian Coleman

Below is a trimmed version of the CCTV footage played to the Court showing the assault by Brian Coleman on Helen Michael.

Below is our real time live blog of proceedings.

Check back from 10am Friday 3rd May for updates. Please don't refresh, will auto update immediately something changes.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 12:27 AM
In the waiting room for court three. 45 mins till kickoff. Hmm maybe shouldn't use football analogies!
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 9:14 AM
District Judge Deborah Wright presiding at today's hearing. Brian Coleman arrives with his lawyer and David Douglas from Camden Conservatives. They go into the interview room.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 9:28 AM
Manjit Mahal prosecuting and Neville Rudstone defending.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 9:41 AM
Court resumes after an adjournment.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 10:54 AM
Indications of a plea bargain. Coleman to plead guilty for assault but not the driving offence. Just has pleaded guilty.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 10:56 AM
Contents of the CCTV footage is outlined to the Court. Coleman is accused of ‘lunging’ at Ms Michaels. He drove off & later went to police.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 11:01 AM
Court told how Brian Coleman grabbed Ms Michael’s breast & injury to wrist. No fracture to wrist, tenderness to left chest wall (no X-ray)
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 11:02 AM
Injuries and scratch marks left by incident with Mr Coleman #colemantrial. Summary of interview with Coleman to be read out.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 11:03 AM
Coleman needed money to pay handyman Tom. Went to get cash. Saw Helen Michaels approach him with mobile phone out. She had campaign against him, she blamed him for traders losing business. He put up hands to prevent filming. Didn't hurt her or touch breast.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 11:05 AM
Crowd gathered around. Took card out didn't get cash. Went towards his car. Police showed him images from CCTV. He said Ms Michaels was stepping towards him. Police challenged him on this and he changed story saying he did approach her. He claims she was 'in his face', arms flailing around. Police asked Coleman how Michaels got her injuries. He didn't know.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 11:07 AM
Mr Coleman had long nails that could cause scratching. Coleman has maintained innocence up until day, say the Crown. Coleman should get no benefit for late plea on day of trial. Crown will apply for damages and a restraining order. Judge says cannot accept restraining order under criminal procedure rules today without adjournment as form has not been submitted by the Crown. Crown asks for her to use discretion.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 11:10 AM
Crown continues to make submissions on restraining order. Coleman seeks attention from his lawyers from the dock. Crown states Mr Coleman is a gentleman of good character. Judge calls defence submissions. Coleman will be sentence on the view of the CCTV. Was a moment of anguish after a long campaign. Was a fraught moment, he acted in the circumstances. He doesn't recall acting as he did on CCTV, but on watching footage he can see what he did. CCTV played now. (pause)
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 11:13 AM
Video ends. Not most exiting time squinting at screen. Defence says Michaels sought out Coleman, not the other way around. Defence says Coleman has shown some courage in pleading guilty he doesn't believe it of himself that he behaved that way - he is not a man of violence. Man of technical good character. Positive good character.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 11:25 AM
Judge asks was Coleman responsible for parking reforms. Defence waffles a bit about the parking reform. Coleman nods and says yes to judge that he was responsible for changes and is unpopular for that. Judge surmises that people in public gallery aren't his supporters (tittles from the gallery). Judge surmises that the purpose of filming him was to show hypocrisy in parking in loading bay. Defence agrees.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 11:28 AM
Judges says Crown's case is that Coleman's purpose was to grab phone to prevent footage being shown. He didn't contemplate as he knows CCTV is published. Unsure about what but Coleman starts to shout NO from the dock and his solicitor comes and consults with him. Defence contends that this is no ABH, lower end of middle category of assault. Injury is at lower end of the scale.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 11:31 AM
Defence argues that personal mitigation is extraordinary. Was legitimate political campaign against him but they contend has slipped into the personal. Ma'am you may be aware of the coffin campaign. May be one thing for him to deal with this for himself. His octogenarian mother has been criticised on more that one occasion (Coleman shouts three times from the dock). Coleman had his seat, which the complainant claims credit for. Coleman heckles his own barrister as they say he has lost his livelihood as lost GLA and responsibility on the Council.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 11:35 AM
Defence reads out Brian Coleman's political CV of position on GLA. He was Cabinet and Mayor of Barnet. 7 days a week he worked, public engagement every day. £10,000's of losses caused parking reform. Not to spite anyone nor for his personal benefit.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 11:37 AM
Defence this isn't at the higher level. Claimant to be credited for commendable robustness. She was content to get into his car alone. Coleman smiles from the dock. She was able to deal robustly with the situation. Reference to guest blog (presumably on Barnet Eye). Talks of not getting to ask question, security guard backed off Defence talks of tweets celebrating Coleman's difficulty and ones ridiculing his sexuality. Judge rises to consider sentence.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 11:41 AM
Judge Deborah Wright returns. Wait for Coleman to return to the dock. Defence asks if there any matters we can address you on. Yes, she says, but I think we better wait for your client! Coleman returns. Judge cuts off Crown speaking about HM's tweets about champers at Cafe Buzz. Some argy bargy Judge says isn't relevant. Judges stops Crown again. Judge calls the witnesses in.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 11:55 AM
Judge thanks Helen Michael for coming and discharges her as a witness. Defence is that Brian Coleman is a convicted man. He doesn't take pleasure in inflicting harm on other people. He is in unusual position of knowing that others will celebrate him being brought low. That Madam is something you may take into consideration.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 11:57 AM
JUDGE SENTENCING: In this matter the defendant has pleaded guilty today of the offence of common assault against Helen Michael. The background is important in this case. The defendant has been a well know politician in the LB Barnet for many years having first having been elected in 1998. His career included a position as VC and Chair of the London Assembly on more than one occasion, as a Cabinet Member in LB Barnet and indeed has served as Mayor in that London Borough.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 11:59 AM
JUDGE SENTENCING: His political career was made unpopular by introducing extremely unpopular parking changes in Barnet with residents and local businesses in North Finchley. Ms Michaels runs the cafe in that High Street. Coleman parked in loading bay to use cash point. This is something HM observed and took phone camera from her cafe and approached defendant to film him. It is clear HM stood some distance from the defendant. Defendant knew he was being filmed and CCTV shows he approached HM although his purpose of doing so is a matter of some little dispute.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 12:02 PM
JUDGE SENTENCING: It isn't necessary for me to resolve this as the defendant has pleaded guilty. I have no doubt that his motives were to avoid the embarrassment of his visit and his parking arrangements he made that day. A struggle ensued and there can be no doubt that that struggle was instigated by Mr Coleman and as a result, Ms Michael sustained a number of injuries including scratches to her hand and wrist, soreness to her wrist, soreness to her shoulder and soreness to a region of her chest.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 12:05 PM
JUDGE SENTENCING: In sentencing the defendant I must follow sentencing guidelines which set out what I can take into account and which category this case falls into. Looking at these factors I am satisfied that the injuries which were sustained for this type of offending were more serious in the context of the case as a whole (Coleman seated looking very glum and mournful in dock). Regarding culpability
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 12:07 PM
JUDGE SENTENCING: defendants culpability is high. This is category 2 assault. Starting point is community order. Range is from fine to high level community order. I now look at aggravating factors and mitigation. There are some mitigating factors. He is a man of previous good character. He is entitled to some benefit for, albeit, late plea. He has made significant contribution to society during his career and on the day in question he was being filmed which I have no doubt would have been embarrassing and upsetting for him.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 12:10 PM
JUDGE SENTENCING: Taking into account the aggravating and mitigating factors a fine is the suitable sentence. Coleman fined band C 150% of relevant weekly income. £300. 10% discount for plea = £270. Victim s/charge £15 #colemantrial £850 £1135 total. Plus £250 compensation to Ms Michael.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 12:14 PM
JUDGE SENTENCING: Mr Coleman you are now free to leave.
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 12:15 PM
Le Fin!
by Barnet Bugle May 3 at 12:15 PM

Brian Coleman allows comments on his blog and gets stung!

Non-aligned, suspended Conservative, Councillor Brian Coleman has blogged on Barnet Football Club. To quote another man wending his way through the criminal justice system right now

can you see what it is yet?

The red circle should help you out...

UPDATE: 30/4/2012 2am

And there's another...

Barnet's Councillors reflect on Margaret Thatcher's passing

In a fifty minute session, led by the Mayor of Barnet, Councillors from all three political parties shared their thoughts and reflections on Margaret Thatcher. Some knew her as a friend, some as their MP and others just as Prime Minister from afar. Due to the special occasion we have uploaded all the clips in HD quality.

The meeting started with a special memorial prayer for Baroness Thatcher by the Mayor's Chaplain Rabbi Yitzchak Y. Shochet

The Mayor then made his own tribute

Next up was Leader of the Council, Conservative Councillor Richard Cornelius

Labour Leader Councillor Alison Moore

Liberal Democrat Leader Jack Cohen (who gives us a mention in his speech)

Former Hendon South MP and, now, Conservative Councillor John Marshall

Non-aligned Councillor Brian Coleman

Labour Councillor Jim Tierney (a mini Glenda Jackson performance here)

Conservative Councillor Helena Hart

Firebrand Labour Councillor Geof Cooke

Finally Conservative Councillor Brian Salinger, followed by a moment's silence

Mike Freer MP discusses Margaret Thatcher on BBC Sunday Politics

Boris to be asked to stop drivers accepting cash on buses

From BBC1 Sunday Politics show 14th April

The Bugle wonders if Boris has retained Brian Coleman as a consultant on this move to go cashless given the success in Barnet?

Local Labour Party and Labour Group pays tribute to Margaret Thatcher

In separate statements the Chairman of the Finchley and Golders Green Labour Party and the Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Alison Moore, have paid tribute to former Finchley MP and Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.

Chairman of the Finchley and Golders Green Labour Party, Janet Bagley said

I offer my condolences to local Conservative Party activists and to Margaret Thatcher’s many friends and supporters in Finchley.

The Labour Party opposed many of her policies, but she undoubtedly made a huge impact both as local MP and Prime Minister.

Her period in office changed the face of Britain, although her political legacy will always arouse intense controversy.

Councillor Alison Moore, Leader of Barnet Council Labour Group added

I offer my condolences to Margaret Thatcher’s family, friends and colleagues, including those in Finchley.  I am one of a generation whose lives were deeply affected by the changes she made and although I didn’t agree with her politically I recognise the huge strength of character and resolute focus she showed in driving through her policies. History will remember her as a woman who stood her ground and made her mark.