'Nothing will stop us' say Keen MPs (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

'Nothing will stop us' say Keen MPs

10:01am Friday 27th April 2007 in The Chiswick By Chris Briddon

The borough's two MPs Ann and Alan Keen said that nothing Hounslow's Tory or community councillors did would stop them from serving the people of the borough.

On Tuesday night, at a full meeting of the council, a motion from Isleworth Community Group councillor Coun Phil Andrews called on the council not to extend invitations to Mr and Mrs Keen to any council events.

It received cross-party support from all sides of the chamber except Labour who opposed the motion and described it as "a bid to silence the Keens".

After last year's May council elections the Keens allegedly said they would not co-operate with the council until the Tory group investigated Coun Andrews' past involvement with the National Front.

Mr and Mrs Keen deny they refused to co-operate saying they only reserved the right to do so.

Speaking after the council meeting Coun Andrews said: "The motion simply calls for clarity and consistency from the Keens and from the Labour group, a position which they clearly have difficulty with as their threat of non co-operation was deliberately worded in such a way as to enable them to move the goalposts at will.

"Nothing the Tory Isleworth Community group councillors do will stop us serving the people of the borough."

Anne and Alan Keen

"As it stood, the Keens could refuse to give the local authority their help and assistance supposedly on a point of principle, but still expect to scurry along for publicity and photo opportunities generated by the council.

"The position was inconsistent, dishonest and morally untenable."

He added: "The motion, which received support from the Lib Dems and the Hounslow Independent Alliance, as well as the ruling coalition, has put the ball firmly back into their court by making it clear that non co-operation cuts both ways".

In a statement, Hounslow Labour group condemned the motion and said Coun Andrews was being "petty and vindictive".

Labour leader Jagdish Sharma said: "It is such a short sighted and frankly small minded thing to do."

Mr and Mrs Keen said the action was so obviously a party political move intended to make it more difficult for them to represent the people of Hounslow.

A statement from them said: "Since we have been elected we have dealt with more than 20,000 cases brought to us by constituents and nothing that the Tory Isleworth Community group councillors do will stop us serving the people of the borough.

"We did not expect them to stoop this low but our constituents need not worry - we will still be there for them."