Letter: If There Is Any Evidence, Bring It On

Published on: 17 Jan, 2019
Updated on: 17 Jan, 2019

Sir Paul Beresford MP and Cllr Paul Spooner

From John Ferns

In response to: ‘Russian Row’ Over Wisley Splits Guildford’s Tories

This is quite shocking.

A thinly (one other MP) attended 30-minute “debate” convened in Westminster Hall in front of a mere four members of the Communities and Local Government Parliamentary Sub-committee. (Videolink at 1600hrs https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/4e4e434b-23fb-41f1-a2bb-6aaf7b049c85 )

Allegations lodged against the leader of Guildford Borough Council made under Parliamentary privilege, against which there can be no recourse.

If there is any evidence of misfeasance, it should surely have been already lodged with the relevant authorities and not in this cowardly and underhand manner.

Yes, the Wisley site application has been through multiple planning applications and a major appeal which was soundly rejected by a planning inspector; a decision subsequently endorsed by the Secretary of State.

The member for Mole Valley [Sir Paul Beresford] has a public duty to substantiate his serious allegations.

If there is any evidence, bring it on.

Responses to Letter: If There Is Any Evidence, Bring It On

Valerie Thompson Reply

January 19, 2019 at 11:54 am

Just to pick up on the point, made by John Ferns, regarding the refusal of the Wisley application by the Secretary of State, why did Mr Spoooner and the Executive of GBC then return the site to the Local Plan within days? Surely the refusal should have been an end to the matter. Why does Mr Spooner think that he and his team have a right to go against the decision, made after weeks of discussion with barristers and other professional advisors?

What have they got to gain from this rejection of the Secretary of State’s decision? What is GBC’s agenda over this matter? The Councillors rejected the development, the public is against it, Highways authorities said it was a non-starter and Wisley Gardens would be adversely affected. Why persist with such an unpopular project?

The allegation of a Russian connection is intriguing. I await with bated breath the results of further investigations. I do not think that Sir Paul’s statements were underhand. They were made publicly, even if few other people happened to be there at the time.