Labour respond furiously to ‘spiteful Tory allegations’

Labour’s leader in Brighton and Hove has issued a strong response to allegations by Tory council candidates about the funding granted by the EB4U New Deal programme under the previous administration.

Councillors Ayas Fallon-Khan and Maria Caulfield, who are both standing in Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, questioned what had happened to the £47m worth of funding.

Labour councillor Gill Mitchell has described the allegations, which come just a week before the local elections, as ‘spiteful’ after Cllr Fallon-Khan demanded Labour ‘come clean’ as to what they did with th money.

Labour have taken legal advice following the accusations on the basis they question the integrity of Labour’s local councillors, while the party has outlined the ‘lasting legacy’ of how the money was indeed spent in the city.

Brighton & Hove Labour Leader, Cllr Gill Mitchell said: “We took legal advice regarding these spiteful Tory allegations, as they seemed to be questioning the integrity of local Labour Councillors, which is ridiculous because the EB4U New Deal project was resident led- are the Tories seriously suggesting local people squandered this government funding?

“The reality is that this money has done a lot of good. Achievements include a massive and sustained fall in crime, a new successful nursery and more opportunities for local youngsters. The scheme was so successful that the previous government funded similar programmes in 11 other city neighbourhoods.

“However, the Tories have opposed this investment since the start, they have opposed residents’ views and they oppose any extra funding. Why? Resorting to low level personal attacks smacks of desperation with the election just a week away.”

Cllr Warren Morgan has also spoken of his disappointment at their ‘desperate last-minute pre-election smears’.

The East Brighton councillor said: “As a trustee of the Crew Club, which had its’ New Deal funded building opened by HRH The Duke Of Edinburgh, I’m very disappointed that the Tories are using how that money was spent to fuel some desperate last-minute pre-election smears.

“From the Roundabout Children’s Centre to the Whitehawk Inn, from the alleygating projects to the pioneering community safety work now extended across the city, the resident-led EB4U project is something that has had a lasting legacy and an impact on many local people’s lives through education, training and improved opportunities.”

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Tags: Ayas Fallon-Kahn, Gill Mitchell, Maria Caulfield, Warren Morgan