Proposed Tesco leads to walkout

9:18am Friday 4th July 2008

Comments (13)   Have your say »

THE whole Labour group on Hillingdon Council walked out of a meeting in protest.

Near to the end of last night's full council meeting, the group of councillors stood up and left, angered by the "muzzling" of their views on a controversial development.

Their amendment to a motion had become irrelevant after earlier amendments had been passed by the ruling Conservative group.

The opposition group had been trying to amend a motion by Lib Dem Councillor Mike Cox which denounced the manner in which Tesco has pursued a new supermarket application in Yiewsley.

Cllr Cox's motion highlighted perceived failings in the planning process for the application, which has already been given the go-ahead.

But the Tories amended the motion, defending the planning process and accusing Councillor Cox of attacking council officers.

Labour councillors felt sidelined from the debate and staged a mass walkout to show their displeasure.

Councillor John Hensley, who had presided over the planning committee, criticised the walkout, saying: "It's disgusting and shows their contempt for the planning process.

"They have let down the people that elected them as councillors."