Posted by Chris Paul on Thursday Aug 06, 08:43
There seems to be a jackanory fairy story put out by the Lib Dems theyselves that "Honest John" Leech has deservedly come out well from the allowances scandal. But I really cannot see this. Is it really the case that an overpriced Weighwatchers contraption and TWO count 'em tellies in two years - with which to (a) tackle and (b) exacerbate his "fat and unfit" reputational issues - is the most noteworthy claim John Bull made.
Having made something of a study of the man's Houses of Parliament claims of all types down the years, not to mention his three years of double troughing at the expense of the council Tax payer, I've spotted a whole host of claims which may be "within the rules" letter by letter but which don't seem to be quite right nonetheless.
As someone who has traded on his "Son of the Manse" credentials wouldn't we expect Mr Leech to be perfect in every respect? Within the letter of the rules. Within the spirit of the rules. Within the spirit of the times.
And is anyone else baffled at how folks seeing Honest John Bull and his colleagues paying money - one way and another - over to the local Lib Dems, and sharing things with them in a beneficial for someone kind of way, and even apparently giving his councillor allowances - after tax we must hope - to local party activity - how people think that is beyond reproach?
Giving to one's own party machine or trading with it or sharing stuff with it or persistently grey area'ing the Commons rules is NOT like giving to charity is it?
It's more like delayed gratification really. Trying to ensure that John Leech and his cronies are re-elected by feeding the fighting funds - albeit very likely "within the rules" - and that being so arguably as bad as trying to buy duck houses, employ nannies, or even claiming for already paid off mortgages?
Essentially self interest?
How has John Leech who, lest we forget, topped the rankings in his first year at the trough, escaped with such minimal scrutiny of his expenses claims?
+ tags coming soon
( 35 Comments )
Dave (formerly of Merseybank)
Monday Aug 17, 11:28
Strange that I asked Thomas (site admin) to start a new thread a few weeks ago, but it didn't get posted, but someone comes along with an "anti-Leech" angle and it gets posted no problem.
Yasmin Zalzala
Monday Aug 24, 04:15
I do not agree that John Leech has come off well from the allowance scandal
There are MP's who have come far better than he.
Yasmin Zalzala
Monday Nov 09, 01:12
I hope you all got my leaflet?
What no abuse?
Yasmin Zalzala
Monday Nov 16, 07:12
Campaign for Clean Politics: Independent Dr Yasmin Zalzala. yasminzalzala@hotmail.com 0161 224 6898
Press Release
Lib Dem MP & Labour Candidate mislead the public on Metrolink!
A letter of complaint has gone to the chairman of the Greater Manchester
Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) over untruthful claims by both the Labour candidate and the Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington on the funding for Metrolink.
The Labour candidate claims that it was a Labour Government that delivered the Funding. The Liberal Democrat MP makes it sound as though it was his action alone in Parliament that secured the funding. Yet both are untrue.
The next phase of Metrolink is being funded by a combination of a government grant, increase in the rate for Manchester residents, taxes of businesses that will benefit from the project, plus borrowing against future transport grants for the area. In other words the bulk of the money will come from local sources and was negotiated locally.
The Labour Candidate, under the title of ‘Labour brings Metrolink to Old Moat, states: ‘......To ensure that this project gets completed by a Labour Government we need to elect a Labour MP who can campaign hard for South Manchester’. This information is next to a photograph which includes Cllr Andrew Fender who is a member of GMITA board.
The Lib Dem MP for his part, in addition to the leaflet, has sent a letter to voters in which he he makes it sound as though he had forced the Transport Secretary to make the TIF money available despite the NO vote.
‘These people have learned nothing from the expenses debacle and public outcry against MP’s greed,’ comments Yasmin Zalzala, ‘after all the talk from Party leaders, especially the Liberal Democrats on truth and integrity, we find that MP’s are cavalier with the truth.
‘I all the time in politics, I have never seen such blatant lies. Labour and Liberal Democrats must think the electorate is stupid’, says Dr Zalzala.
‘I have sent my complaint to the Chair of the GMITA, the Transport Secretary and the Commissioner for Standards in public life. Let us see what they say.’
End
Yasmin Zalzala
Friday Nov 20, 06:15
I have had a really nasty threat conveyed to me about the 'long arm outside the law' that will come and get me. Oh dear.
Yasmin Zalzala
Thursday Dec 10, 05:18
Has John Leech replaced Norman Baker, as transport spokesman?
He must have as he is promoting himself as such
I guess that means john leech can do what he likes, tell as many untruths and untruthful claims in his leaflets and the Lib Dem Party Hierarchy will support him
They have to, if he goes down they all go down with him
I pity those MP's, Cllrs, activist who are working honestly and earnestly.
They are at the mercy of a person like John Leech
You poor Liberal Democrats!
Yasmin Zalzala
Tuesday Dec 15, 09:13
Hello everyone
Labour use the race card to defeat me, and the Liberal Democrats use lies and deceit and underhanded tactics.
This is supposed to be the mother of all parliaments. People should not be bullied and intimidated in this manner
Labour are trying to curb the use of the race card
But the Liberal Democrats intensify their activities.
Am I such a threat to everyone?
The Liberal Democrats are persuading people to ring my friends and tell them that my campaign is useless that I have chance of winning and therefore not to help me
They are also saying that I use donations for my personal use and not on printing costs
I told everyone if you have proof take it to the police I have nothing to hide
It seems the Liberal DEmocrats cannot win without lies and deceit
Dave (formerly of Merseybank)
Wednesday Jan 06, 13:58
Still the same old, same old on here then.
Yasmin Zalzala
Friday Jan 08, 01:13
Not so Dave from Merseyside: These are facts based on current events
It was the subject of a police investigation and I am in discussion with lible lawyers
Yasmin Zalzala
Friday Jan 08, 01:20
While we're on the subject, now that it has been proven that the boy Leech has lied in his leaflets and claimed credit for things that are beyond his reach and ability, read my leaflet if you do not know what I am talking about, it seems to me that this is conduct that brings the Party, i.e. the Liberal Democrats, into disrepute, which is a condition to revoke Lib Dem membership.
Is the standards committee as led by John Commons with assistance from the Barrister of a leading chamber in Manchester, going to meet to discuss John Leech's suitability to continue as a member and candidate in Manchester?
I am the committee with the constitution where there is no criteria for revokocation of membership, no appeal etc etc
May suggest that this should be an item for the agenda for the next Man Withington Constituency meeting?
Yasmin Zalzala
Friday Jan 08, 01:24
While we're on the subject, now that it has been proven that the boy Leech has lied in his leaflets and claimed credit for things that are beyond his reach and ability, read my leaflet if you do not know what I am talking about, it seems to me that this is conduct that brings the Party, i.e. the Liberal Democrats, into disrepute, which is a condition to revoke Lib Dem membership.
Is the standards committee as led by John Commons with assistance from the Barrister of a leading chamber in Manchester, going to meet to discuss John Leech's suitability to continue as a member and candidate in Manchester?
I am the committee with the constitution where there is no criteria for revokocation of membership, no appeal etc etc
May suggest that this should be an item for the agenda for the next Man Withington Constituency meeting?
Yasmin Zalzala
Friday Jan 08, 01:26
In the second para from the bottom the first two words should read 'I mean'
rather than I am
Apologies
Yasmin Zalzala
Tuesday Jan 12, 08:28
I want to direct a question to Cllr Simon Ashley, Liberal Democrat leader of the official opposition in Manchester, who famously told the press 'ADr Zalzala fails to work as part of a team, and does not treat her colleagues with respect.
Councillor Simon Ashley, leader of Manchester Liberal Democrats said: "Yasmin has been a strong candidate for the party locally for a number of years. Recently, however, a number of problems have arisen regarding the way Yasmin fails to work as part of a team, and fails to treat her colleagues with respect."
"Unfortunately it has not been possible to resolve these issues in time for these elections."
Coun Ashley said that their decision had the full backing of the Lib Dems national party and that Dr Zalzala should use the elections as an opportunity to prove she can build bridges and work with her colleagues.
Now that it has been shown that John Leech has been telling untruthful things to the electorate in his leaflet, does Cllr Simon Ashley think that this is treating the electorate with respect?
If the answer is Yes, it means Liberal Democrats approve of telling lies to the electorate. If the answer is No, then can Cllr Simon Ashley and his colleagues on the standards committee still work with John Leech MP?
Simon Ashley and Alison Firth said untruthful things about me in the press and which are readily available on the internet.
This made me unemployable because any employer would use google and there it is written that I am not a team player and do not treat people with respect. Who will employ me after this?
Apart from this, I gather that John Leech's agent, and agent for the constituency is Withington cllr Brendon Jones. Was he aware of these untruthful claims or not?
If memory serves correct, Withington Cllr Brendon Jones was an assistant to Hilary Stephenson, when she was Northwest campaign manager. I understand she now is the Campaign Director in Cowley Street.
Does she approve of these leaflets.
Cllr Simon Ashley claimed that the decision to remove my approval had the full backing of the national leadership.
Does that national leadership of the John Leech untruths as well?
Perhaps someone could enlighten us please.
Yasmin Zalzala
Friday Jan 15, 23:25
The sentence before last should read
Does the national leadership approve the untruths in the John Leaflets as well?
Perhaps someone could answer us please?
Yasmin Zalzala
Friday Jan 15, 23:31
Apparently the Lib Dems are going round telling everyone in the community that I am certain to lose and only Lib Dem will win
They are also repeating lies and untruthful ugly rumours about me
Who is running this campaign?
Is it John Leech?
His agent Cllr Brendon Jones?
The lord Mayor Cllr Alison Firth?
The City Advisor Cllr Ray Atkins?
The elderly statesmen Cllr David Sandiford?
Who is authoring and authorising this dirty tricks?
Haven't the Manchester Liberal Democrats sank low enough?
And what about the regional executive? Are they in agreement in what is being said about me?
Dave (formerly of Merseybank)
Monday Jan 18, 10:50
Yasmin, what was the % of the vote that you got last time around? What was the % of the vote that Labour, the Tories, UKIP, the Greens and the Lib Dems got last time? Now can you see why people (not just Liberal Democrats) might think you are not going to win?
Yasmin Zalzala
Monday Jan 18, 22:52
I am really glad you raised this issue Dave from Merseyside
Last time, the public got treated to a tirade of untruthful abuse about me (of the type I quoted in the blog earlier) which included things like I was a sore loser, could not work with people etc
There was more that Liberal Democrats said about me but in private to voters, members, helpers etc
This inlcuded things like that I embezzled money from the party and from donations for my personal use and more than this in a type of accusations that I do not care to repeat as they are immoral and impolite. The accusation that I am desperate to get married etc is the mildest I care to repeat.
Also last election people believed the Liberal DEmocrats lie that Xtie hospital is to close.
And, I had not made a great impact with just one leaflet.
This time, people are more readily receptive to my campaign as they realised that the liberal democrats lied re the xtie hospital campaign and therefore they can be liers about other things too. In other words the liberal democrats do not have the credibility they had
The latest example of lies is the claim by John Leech that he is the one who secured metrolink for Manchester!
Keith Whitmore helped to cover up for him and what helped is that Labour lied in their leaflet too! So labour could had to remain quiet
Furthermore, the expenses scandal (details of John Leech's expenses are in my second leaflet) are factors in people getting fed up from established party people
I think I have a real chance of winning otherwise why would the Liberal Democrats be working so hard with the negative campaigning?
Dom
Monday Jan 25, 08:28
I thought I'd log on to see what was going on. Looks like Yasmin has monopolised the page. As a student who regularly uses the busses on Oxford Road, I'm starting to get the sneaking suspicion that Yasmin might be related to the Crazy Bus Lady. Seriously Yasmin, nobody will take any notice if you just monopolise this already ropey message board to tout your various conspiracy theories.
Yasmin Zalzala
Tuesday Jan 26, 02:53
Hello Dom
So nice to hear from you
I am so glad you wrote in to tell me your views
Best wishes
Yasmin Zalzala
Wednesday Jan 27, 04:21
No doubt our man the boy Leech will be sitting on the front bench of the Liberal Democrats whilst Nick Clegg makes a speech about integrity, honesty in politics etc
Way to go Liberal Democrats
Yasmin Zalzala
Wednesday Jan 27, 18:53
I have just heard on the radio that Nick Clegg is protesting against the non-disclosure of some documents by the Iraq Chilcott Enquiry
Well may be he could tell me his views on this
I was told by a Cowley St official, david something I think, at the time when my ethnic cleansing was happening, that they had received reports about me from members re my behaviour. HA Ha Ha went the official.
I asked to see them but he refused he said they were sent in confidence
If Nick Clegg has an ounce of decency in him, or even the current chief exec, then these reports should be released to myself asap
Otherwise, the Liberal Democrats are a total hypocrites
It is noteworthy that the final appeal which granted John Leech his candidacy made its decision on human rights!
This is an opportunity for the Party to redeem itself and recognise My human rights. Or do human rights ala Lib Dem only extends to white people!
Person
Wednesday Jan 27, 22:07
Put a sock in it Yasmin, you've ruined a perfectly respectable attack blog.
Yasmin Zalzala
Thursday Jan 28, 00:31
Dear Person
I will take you more seriously if you had the courage to write under your own name, person!
Dave (formerly of Merseybank)
Thursday Jan 28, 11:52
Yasmin, if you are intending to stand again and want people to vote for you, do you think what you are doing will appeal to voters or put them off?
Yasmin Zalzala
Friday Jan 29, 07:27
The latest nugget of information I wish to share with you people, is that John Leech was untruthful even to Norman Baker MP who in theory is his boss as the boy Leech is only the the junior transport spokesperson.
You see, I wrote to many people including Norman Baker when I discovered that John Leech pretended untruthfully that he is solely responsible for bringing Metrolink to MAnchester.
To his eternal credit and my heartfelt respect, N Baker wrote to ask me for copies of this leaflet. I wrote back that he should ask John Leech for a copy!
Norman Baker wrote a few days later saying he obtained the leaflets from John Leech's office and they talk of partnership work etc
So I wrote back to Mr Baker and told him that John Leech has this habit of being untruthful so he should ask him
for all the leaflets
I did not hear from Norman Baker again however John Leech was not present at the following Prime Minister's QT but Norman Baker was
I note however that John Leech is sitting comfortably relaxed on the front benches at the latest Prime Minister QT. So he must have defeated Norman Baker as well.
Way to go Liberal Democrats!
I feel sorriest for the hardworking decent members!
Yasmin Zalzala
Monday Feb 01, 08:16
Good Morning people
The latest story I wish to tell relates to Lord Lester QC, the famous human rights lawyer.
I saw him speaking for his amendment to the equality bill. He wanted (as I understood) to ensure that people are not forced to retire at 65.
From what I heard, and understood, he made the analagy of a black person being told he cannot occupy this position, and how unlawful that was.
'But this is what the Liberal Democrats did to me' I cried out', why did Lord Lester not say anything then?
I sent his research organisation all the documents relating to the case. I just did not believe, at the time, that the Liberal Democrats would put up with what was going on in MAnchester. I wanted the Party's conscience to wake up
But nobody said anything or did anything to the best of my knowledge
So may be Lord Lester and his colleagues in the house of lords should think again before pointificating to the nation about equality law!
If I misunderstood any aspect of this story, please correct me.
Yasmin Zalzala
Tuesday Feb 09, 23:14
Campaign for Clean Politics
Memo
To: Nick Clegg MP
From: Dr Yasmin Zalzala
CC: Chief Executive Manchester City Council
Date: 2/9/2010
Re: Untruthful Claims by John Leech MP
I write with reference to allegation made by John Leech MP, member of your front bench shadow team. This time, it relates to the opening of a new dentist office in the constituency. For information, the dentist in question is a member of the Liberal Democrats (or was when I was in the Party).
John Leech has form on being untruthful. See information below. And from the information that I have, this latest claims is untruthful as well. If that is the case –and I assume you are in the best position to find out, I would appreciate your answer as to whether I am right and if so, whether this is typical of the standard of conduct that you mean when you claim the Liberal Democrats stand for honest, transparent politics etc.
I have today received confirmation from the Chief Executive of Manchester Primary Trust that John Leech MP had no involvement in the contract to a local dentist to open a new dentistry.
Ms Roberts letter says:
‘Mr Muhammed Al-Himdani as a sole provider, was awarded a contract, but not at the address stated in the FOI from the 2008/09 procurement, which I can confirm was definitely not influenced or supported by the MP John Leech.’ End
Yet John Leech claims involvement! In a large Newspaper style publication in an article headed ‘new dentist success’, new NHS dentist opens in South Manchester. Mr Al-Himdani (the local dentist) is quoted saying:
‘We originally had problems securing funding to open our practice, so we thought to write to our local MP for help. ‘With his support funding was finally secured and now we can treat thousands of new people’.
Liberal Democrat MP John Leech took up Mr Al-Himdani’s case to secure the funding needed to open a new practice in South Manchester. He said ‘I am proud to work with Mr Al-Himdani to make sure people local people have access to local NHS dentists.
Old Moat campaigner Rob Mackle added: I’ve been looking for an NHS dentist for years and finally I‘ve got one on my door step’. End
The above claim is repeated in a second publication titled FOCUS News and action from John Leech MP and your Local Liberal Democrat councillors.
The publisher and promoter of both publications is Manchester Withington Cllr Brendon Jones.
To my knowledge, this is the third time that John Leech has made claims of accomplishments that turn out to be untrue. First it was the claim that Christie Hospital is under threat of closure so people should vote for him so he would save it. The second is he claimed sole credit for bringing Manchester Metrolink to Manchester, yet the whole deal was a locally negotiated contract with no involvement from him, that I could find anywhere. And this is the third
As I said before, as leader of the Party, you are in the best position to establish the truth and I look forward to hearing from you
Yours sincerely
Dr Yasmin Zalzala
Campaign for Clean Politics
Yasmin Zalzala
Saturday Feb 13, 05:42
Nick Clegg
I read today that you are accusing MI5 of lying and that they knew about the torture of prisoners long before they claimed they did. I assume you are defending principle.
Well what about what went on and still goes on in your own Party. What happened to me was torture. And if throwing me out of the Party is not enough, the Manchester Liberal Democrats have engaged in all sort of roumer and accusations to explain 'why they wanted me out of the way. This is destroying my reputation. They are also engaging in lies and intimidation locally to stop me from participating in the democratic process. Going to my potential voters and helpers and telling them to stop helping me.
John Leech has shown a pattern of untruthfulness. He was untruthful to the internal enquiry set up by the regional office to investigate my complaints; he was untruthful about Christie Hospital; he was untruthful about Metrolink ; and he was untruthful about claiming that his intervention opened a dentistry locally. Yet you keep promoting him higher and higher.
I don't see you standing up for principle and honor.
At least MI5 could say they are defending the national interest in what they did (however misguided they may be).
What was the Liberal Democrat objective? Promoting a white man over the ethnic minority after 15 years of hard work building up a seat to a winning position.
Shutting up would a far better course of action for you it seems to me
Yasmin Zalzala
Friday Feb 19, 01:56
I have had an email from Nick Clegg's office. They are standing by their man!
They accuse me of making false allegations against John Leech!
They say they regard the matter as closed!
What a pity! The leadership had the opportunity to correct the situation and they have squandered it
You poor poor honest decent liberal democrats who work for the principles
The leadership has sold you out!
Dom
Monday Feb 22, 10:48
I wonder Yasmin, if you might indulge in a little scientific experiment that would be of interest to me and those who frequent the busses along Oxford Road and Wilmslow Road.
What do you think of Freemasonry?
Yasmin Zalzala
Monday Feb 22, 19:22
Dear Dom
Ha Ha
Yasmin Zalzala
Wednesday Feb 24, 21:01
To the Leadership of the Liberal Democrats
I have noticed that there are indication of use of the race card in Lib Dem wards
Do you think you could control the MAnchester Withington Liberal Democrats so that it is stopped please?
Thanks
Yasmin Zalzala
Wednesday Mar 10, 14:14
I think based on Question Time today, John Leech has become more important than Norman Baker
Happy days Liberal Democrats
BTW, I have put my campaign literature on my facebook change
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=161299&id=542631005&l=839210943c
Dave (formerly of Merseybank)
Thursday Mar 11, 11:01
Interesting that it is only Yasmin that posts on here nowadays, even though we are now gearing up to a General Election. Where is Thomas and the rest who were so passionate about Labour? Have they conceeded defeat already?
John Holliker
Thursday Mar 11, 18:09
Sad isn't it?
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