Brian Coleman

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other people named Brian Coleman, see Brian Coleman (disambiguation).
Cllr
Brian Coleman
FRSA
Member of the London Assembly
for Barnet and Camden
In office
4 May 2000 – 4 May 2012
Preceded by Constituency Created
Succeeded by Andrew Dismore
Personal details
Born (1961-06-25) 25 June 1961
Nationality British
Political party Independent
Occupation Politician
Religion Methodist

Brian Coleman FRSA (born 25 June 1961) is an English Independent Conservative politician, a councillor in the London Borough of Barnet. He was a Conservative Party member of the London Assembly for Barnet and Camden between 2000 and 2012, and in Barnet was Mayor for 2009–2010. He was also Chairman and Leader of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) from May 2008 to 5 May 2012.

Coleman's membership of the Conservative Party was suspended on 30 October 2012 by Conservative Central Office, the central office of the national Conservative Party. On the same evening a vote on his suspension was due to take place at the internal meeting of the Conservative Group on Barnet Council.[1] Speculation has led to claims that Conservative Central Office intervened because it did not trust the local associations to suspend Coleman through normal procedures. The Leader of Barnet Council, Richard Cornelius, was only informed of the suspension while he was on the way to the group meeting.[1]

Coleman is a former Chairman of the Finchley Friends of Israel and remains a member of Conservative Friends of Israel. A governor at two local Secondary Schools, he is also active in The Scout Association and the Rotary Club and is a vocal supporter of the rights of Falun Gong practitioners[2] and the Greek Cypriot community.

Coleman was charged with assault in 2012. He had previously been twice found in breach of Barnet Council's code of conduct.

Politics

Coleman has tended to take strong and often controversial lines on many topics including Barnet Football Club, Hendon Football Club, Saracens and the London 2012 Olympic Bid. He is often accused of being against popular community sport. He has been a consistent opponent of redevelopment plans by Barnet Football Club, including their proposed move to Copthall Stadium and in May 2013 he said he rejoiced and called for the church bells of Barnet to be rung to celebrate the club's demotion from the Football League.[3]

During the subsequent Copthall application by Saracens rugby club, Mr Coleman went on record as saying that his friend, Boris Johnson would never allow Saracens to build a new joint use community stadium. Both the Council and Boris Johnson passed the application despite Mr Coleman's objections.

Following the 7 July 2005 bombings in London, Coleman questioned on radio how safe it was for Londoners to travel by public transport. He is against the proposal for the northwest London light railway. In 2009 he said "It's not feasible, it won't happen. Ideas like this are thought up by men who probably still have a train set in the attic." In June 2006 he criticised the planned refurbishment of Potter's Fields Park (between City Hall and Tower Bridge), saying that it should be replaced by a multi-storey car park[4] He's expressed concerns that Rugby fans are too old to ride bikes.

In April 2004 Coleman was against Middlesex University's plans to expand its Trent Park campus because it was "a crap university" that could "only attract foreign" students.[5] It was announced in June 2008 that he was to receive an honorary doctorate from Middlesex University for his "outstanding commitment to the community".[6]

In August 2006 Coleman criticised people legally protesting against a provision of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 as "sad, mad and bad". On the restrictions on the right to demonstrate, he stated "It's not a matter of free speech – it's a matter of a proper way of running a world city".[7]

In August 2007, residents of New Barnet campaigning on the environmental and transport details connected with the redevelopment of the East Barnet School site (Metropolitan Open Land adjoining the Metropolitan Green Belt), were criticised by Coleman as "idiots" and "the usual Nimby brigade".[8] The previous month Coleman was the only objector to the erection of a wind turbine at Frith Manor Primary School (opposite Partingdale Lane), as he believed it was "out of character in the green belt".[9]

In 2002, Coleman announced his intention to seek the Conservative Party nomination to be candidate for Mayor of London, but he was rejected at a very early stage.[10] During the 2005 Conservative Party leadership election, Coleman publicly supported David Davis.

In April 2007, Coleman caused a small media storm when he claimed that the former Prime Minister Edward Heath was homosexual and that it was "common knowledge" in the Conservative party that he had been told to keep it secret for the sake of his career.[11] Writing on the website of the New Statesman on the issue of outing, he said: "The late Ted Heath managed to obtain the highest office of state after he was supposedly advised to cease his cottaging activities in the 1950s when he became a privy councillor."[12]

An article by Coleman entitled "Politics and alcohol" for the New Statesman in August 2007 made allegations that Sir Ian Blair the Metropolitan Police Commissioner was "somewhat the worse for wear at a number of official functions" and "needed assistance from his protection officers to manage the stairs".[13] Mayor Ken Livingstone was reported to have responded that "The London Assembly should stop giving a platform to a person who in addition to putting out all sorts of smears and gossip is also a dyed-in-the-wool Thatcherite who in no way represents the views of most Londoners".[14]

In late August 2008, an article by Coleman in the Barnet Press caused another minor media storm.[15] He wrote that the British athletes were "tainted with the blood of Tibetans", and that London mayor Boris Johnson was "forced to go to Beijing to collect the Olympic flag". Coleman's comments received cross-party criticism and the Mayor distanced himself from the remarks made by his fellow Conservative.[16][17]

Barnet Council

Coleman was elected as councillor for the London Borough of Barnet Council's Totteridge ward in 1998.[18] Immediately following the local government election in May 2006, Coleman successfully proposed a vote of no confidence in the Leader of the Borough council, Councillor Brian Salinger, triggering an election in which Salinger was replaced as Leader by Councillor Mike Freer.[19]

Coleman was Mayor of Barnet from May 2009 to May 2010.[20][21][22]

First breach of council code of conduct

In September 2009 Coleman was found to have broken Barnet Council's code of conduct. The standards sub-committee upheld an independent report that he had failed to treat others with respect. The complaint was made by a local blogger who had received an email from Coleman calling him an "obsessive, poisonous individual".[23][24]

Council leader Mike Freer granted Coleman £10,000 of taxpayers' money to pay for legal representation during the Standards Committee investigation, as Coleman had rejected the solicitors provided by the council's insurance scheme.[25] When the local paper approached Coleman before they published this information, he told them that "This has absolutely nothing to do with me, nothing whatsoever, and if you say otherwise you will be hearing from my solicitor."[26]

Despite finding Coleman in breach of the code, the standards sub-committee decided not impose any sanction on him.[27] He would be liable to reimburse the council for the legal bill.[28]

Second breach of council code of conduct

In 2011 Coleman was again investigated for an alleged breach of Barnet Council's code of conduct, this time for a series of abusive emails to four Barnet residents. The council's investigator additionally found him to have breached another code in not co-operating with the investigating officer.[29] The Standards Sub-Committee of Barnet Council met on 5 March 2012 to consider the investigator's report and found that Coleman had indeed breached the code of conduct in respect of two of the four allegations; he was ordered he write letters of apology within 14 days.[30] A demonstration of support for Coleman's views, claiming that the campaign against him was anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic, took place outside the hearing at the Hendon Town Hall.[31]

Coleman appealed to the First-tier Tribunal against the ruling, but his appeal was rejected.[32] Coleman still refused to comply with the tribunal's order that he should apologise, as the Council was reportedly looking for possible sanctions.[33] Barnet Conservative group leader Richard Cornelius was reported to be furious for Coleman's failure to apologise.[34] Barnet Council later sought to recover legal costs arising from his unsuccessful legal defence.[35] Coleman appeared to have apologised at last,[36] after Conservative group leader Cornelius confirmed that he was beginning the process of suspending Coleman from the Conservative group.[37]

Parking petition

In February 2012, an East Finchley resident accused Coleman of ignoring a petition with 290 signatures from residents in East Finchley requesting a review into 10-minute free parking arrangements in front of a post office. Coleman said the suggestion was unworkable and would reduce revenue.[38] Martin Buhagiar, group editor of the North London Times and Independent series newspapers, opined that "Manners maketh man" and that "Coleman seems to enjoy giving taxpayers the impression he does not have any". He encouraged voters to take action at the ballot box.[39]

Allowances for Councillors

In July 2010 Brian Coleman participated in and defended as "sensible" a decision by Barnet's Tory Councillors to award large increases in allowances to council cabinet members.[40] This was against a backdrop of a two-year pay freeze for public sector workers and national cabinet members taking a 5% cut in pay and was widely criticised, by Local Government Minister Grant Shapps and others.[41] Conservative Councillor Kate Salinger abstained from voting on the increase and was subsequently removed from several forums, panels and committees she had sat on.[42]

Pro-car policy

During his time as a councillor in the London Borough of Barnet, Coleman has built up a reputation as an outspoken supporter of car driving, leading Richard Littlejohn to label him a "hero" for introducing a policy of removing road humps when the roads of Barnet are resurfaced.[43] Coleman quotes the Metropolitan Police and the London Ambulance Service as being supporters of this policy, while road safety critics argue that the policy is reckless and driven by populism and self-promotion.

Coleman was caught by a speed camera exceeding a 30 mph speed limit in Borehamwood in January 2006. He already had nine penalty points on his driving licence. On 9 August 2006 at the St Albans Magistrates' Court, Coleman was given a further three points on his licence, banned from driving for six months and fined £300.[44][45]

In August 2007 Coleman received an apology from the BBC after he had complained that the appearance of Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq at the media launch of a London cycling event was political. Speaking at the launch, the then Mayor of London and a Green party assembly member had accused Conservatives of pursuing a pro-car policy.[46][47]

In February 2009 Coleman commented on a proposed off-road light-rail line that would reconnect the two branches of the Northern Line in Barnet, as well as linking to Ealing Broadway, Wembley, Brent Cross and West Hampstead. He described the scheme as "bonkers" and insulted those in favour of it.[48]

In May 2010 Coleman returned to Barnet's Cabinet (after his year as Mayor) taking the Environment and Transport portfolio. He stated that his priority would be "roads, roads, roads and roads".[49]

Partingdale Lane

Coleman takes great pride in his campaign to reopen Partingdale Lane, a narrow winding country road with no pavement, between Mill Hill and Woodside Park in north London. The lane had been closed to through traffic by Barnet's previous Labour council for safety reasons, not least that residents of nearby Woodside Park had been using the road as a high-speed rat-run.[50] The road was reopened in December 2002,[51] before being closed again two months later following a High Court judgement.[52]

Following a £250,000 safety improvement project (including a pavement, traffic islands, 20 mph flashing speed-limit signs and width restrictions) the road was reopened in September 2007.[53] Coleman accused residents of staging one of the two car accidents reported in the weeks following the reopening of Partingdale Lane.[54]

A third collision in Partingdale Lane in May 2008 brought further criticism of Coleman. A Lib Dem councillor commented that "Brian Coleman is like a child with a favourite toy. He just wouldn't let this go and his colleagues let him do it to make up for the fact that they'll never make him leader of the council". Coleman, cabinet member for community safety, said he was too busy to comment.[55]

November 2008 saw a fourth crash in Partingdale Lane, when a car forced a parked vehicle into a ditch.[56] A sixth accident requiring attendance of emergency services was reported in April 2009.[57]

London Assembly

He was elected to the Assembly at the 2000 election, and retained the seat in both 2004 and 2008, losing it dramatically in 2012 with a swing from a majority of 20,000 to a deficit of 20,000.[58] He served as the first Conservative Chairman of the London Assembly in 2004/05 and again in 2006/07, and was Deputy Chair(man) in 2005/06 and for the 2007/08 session.

As Chairman of the London Assembly, Coleman introduced the old Greater London Council Chairman's badge[59] and has made the role considerably more civic-based than previous holders of the post. This has led some critics to label Coleman as "pompous" and "self-important",[60] not least because of the high number of honorary and civic positions he has held in the past and continues to hold at present.

Coleman's politics and style led him to be one of Mayor of London Ken Livingstone's principal critics, publicly falling out with the Mayor over the London Borough of Barnet's resurfacing policy, congestion charging and Livingstone's comments in 2005 likening a Jewish reporter to a concentration camp guard.

On his re-election to the Assembly in May 2008, Coleman made an angry acceptance speech at the count in which he announced that "the king of bling is back" before storming out, accompanied by his mother.[61][62]

In the 2012 London Assembly election Coleman was defeated by the former Member of Parliament for Hendon, Andrew Dismore, who contested Coleman's Barnet and Camden seat for Labour. Coleman was defeated by Dismore, by 74,677 to 53,378 votes,[63] a swing of some 40,000 votes. One of the largest nationwide swings to any Labour candidate in over a decade.[58]

Taxi fares

In July 2007 he was criticised by Livingstone for spending £10,000 on taxi fares from 1 April 2006 to 30 March 2007, compared to the average figure for a London Assembly member of around £845.[64][65][66] This period coincided with the six months that Coleman was banned from driving.

A GLA audit panel report in October 2007 showed that Coleman had run up taxi expenses of £1740 in the period 1 April 2007 to 31 August 2007.[67] This accounted for one third of all cab expenses for the Mayor and 25 GLA members. He was criticised by Livingstone for "creating a chauffeur service for himself" and by the leader of the Barnet Council Labour group for his "breathtaking arrogance".[68]

A further GLA audit panel report in March 2008 revealed that Coleman had run up taxi expenses of £4157 in the period 1 April 2007 to 31 December 2007.[69] This accounted for half of all cab expenses for the Mayor and 25 GLA members. Livingstone said "Brian Coleman must explain to Londoners how he can possibly justify spending more on taxis in four weeks than the average Assembly member does in nine months."[70]

When questioned about his cab fares by the Metro Newspaper, Coleman claimed not to use taxis but thought he was being ferried about in 'an official GLA car'. They reported that in December 2007 he ran up a £412.50 cab fare on a round-trip from his home in Finchley to a nearby meeting where the driver kept the meter running before taking him to City Hall.[71]

Another GLA audit panel report in July 2008 revealed that Coleman had run up taxi expenses of £8231 in the period 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008.[72] This accounted for nearly half of all the cab expenses of the Mayor and 25 assembly members. On one day alone Coleman ran up a cab bill of £656.[73] Assembly member Jenny Jones said that Coleman justifies the expense because he has taken to wearing gold chains from another era. The London Assembly said all the claims were within guidelines.[74]

London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority

Coleman was vice chair of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority from 2004 to 2008. Following the election of Boris Johnson as Mayor in May 2008, Coleman was appointed Chairman. An Audit Commission report published in February 2009 noted that "The Chairman is robust and challenging but staff and some external stakeholders find his style too confrontational."[75]

In August 2008 Coleman claimed that he had been passed over for the post of chair of the Local Government Association fire services management committee due to homophobia by fellow Tories.[76]

Outlining areas of potential cutbacks to a London Assembly committee in September 2008, Coleman suggested that the London Fire Brigade Museum should be closed. He said that "having recently visited the fire brigade museum – we shook the cobwebs off the door as we opened it – I have to say that it is not a museum that is fit for purpose or that in my view contributes anything", adding "when you've seen one brass helmet you have seen them all".[77] Coleman's outburst prompted a campaign to save the museum.[78] Val Shawcross, former chair of the LFEPA, stated that "Brian Coleman has an almost hysterical approach to the issues".[79]

Ted Heath cottaging claim

In 2007 in a blog in the New Statesman Coleman wrote: "The late Ted Heath managed to obtain the highest office of state after he was supposedly advised to cease his cottaging activities in the 1950s when he became a privy councillor" implying that Heath used to have casual gay sex in public lavatories.[80] The blog was written about in both the tabloid and mainstream press, but there was no confirmation of cottaging or of Heath having been warned.[81] The claims were denied by MP Sir Peter Tapsell and Heath's friend and MP Derek Conway stated that "if there was some secret, I'm sure it would be out by now".[82][83]

G20 Protest

In April 2009 Coleman blamed a protester, Nicky Fisher, attending a vigil following the Death of Ian Tomlinson, who was killed during the G20 protests, as being to blame after being backhanded twice by a police officer and then struck on the legs with a baton.[84] "Nicky Fisher turned up to this protest, which everyone said could be violent. She put herself in this situation – and lo, she was hit. It's like going gambling and then complaining that you've lost money". The officer involved had been suspended pending an investigation into their actions.[85]

Expenses

In July 2009 Coleman was the only London Assembly member to refuse to voluntarily publish details of their expense claims in a move towards greater transparency following the Parliamentary expenses scandal. He stated "I won't do it voluntarily. It's none of the public's business", and that "Politicians with lower expenses tend to be the politicians who do least work. Those with higher expenses are the ones who do most work."[86] Coleman complied following pressure from Mayor Boris Johnson.[87][88]

Comments regarding John Biggs

A meeting of the London Assembly's Business Management and Administration Committee on 22 October 2009 had to be suspended for ten minutes after Coleman interrupted another speaker by shouting "oh shut up you odious toad" and "you are the nastiest most odious little man who is unfortunate enough to serve in public life".[89] The Committee chairman Jennette Arnold described the comments as "totally outrageous" and "appalling".[90] Coleman's remarks were directed to assembly member John Biggs who stated that they were not acceptable in a public meeting.[91] A complaint was lodged with the Assembly Standards Committee who adjudged Colman's conduct had not breached the Code.[92]

Rent increases

In October 2011 Coleman reportedly told a single mother facing a rent rise to "live in the real world" and that Councillors simply cannot conjure housing out of thin air and to consider renting in the private sector.[93]

Conviction for Assault

Coleman was arrested for assault for an incident that took place on 20 September 2012.[94] Helen Michael, a café owner in North Finchley who had actively opposed his policy on parking charges, saw him park his car in a loading bay opposite her café. She claimed that she was filming him on her mobile phone when he noticed her and attempted to grab the camera. A policeman intervened and Coleman then jumped into his car and attempted to drive off with both doors open, hitting a truck before speeding off. Coleman was charged with assault by beating and driving on a road without reasonable consideration.[95]

Coleman pleaded not guilty to the charges of assault by beating and careless driving at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on 5 November.[96] On 3 May 2013 he pleaded guilty to the charge of assault and was fined £270 after CCTV footage of the incident[97] was shown in court.[98][99] He subsequently claimed that he entered a guilty plea as part of a deal to ensure he retained his driving licence.[100] On June 5 he was expelled from the Conservative Party[101] but he remained a member of Barnet council and announced he would seek re-election as an Independent candidate in the 2014 election.

Further Abuse Allegations

On 10 September 2013 Coleman was described as having 'stormed out' of a Barnet Council meeting after losing an appeal against a ruling that he had broken the members' code of conduct by failing to treat others with respect. According to a report in the Edgware and Mill Hill Times on September 13 he had referred to a psychiatric nurse as "a twat" at a Cabinet meeting and had sent abusive e-mails to the chair of the local branch of Age UK.

Coleman, whilst not denying the allegations, claimed that the procedure was unlawful as the code of conduct had been superseded and that he "couldn't give a toss" about the Council's decision. (See http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/10666495.Coleman_storms_out_of_meeting_as_swearing_breach_is_upheld/?ref=rl )

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Barnet Councillor Brian Coleman suspended from national Conservative Party in The Times online
  2. ↑ Councillor Pledges "Full and Firm Support to the Falun Gong and its Followers" Clear Harmony, 14 October 2001
  3. ↑ http://thekingofblingisback.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/rejoice-rejoice.html#comment-form
  4. ↑ Turn Potters Fields into multi-storey car park says top Tory London SE1, 2 June 2006
  5. ↑ Coleman feels backlash after university outburst Times Series, 15 April 2004
  6. ↑ University honours Coleman for community commitment Times Series, 30 June 2008
  7. ↑ Parliament protesters fight ban BBC News, 31 August 2006
  8. ↑ History repeating over JCoSS TotallyJewish.com, 2 August 2007
  9. ↑ Planning & Environment Committee Meeting Barnet Council, 19 July 2007
  10. ↑ Coleman out of race to be next mayor Times Series, 8 January 2003
  11. ↑ Ex-PM Heath 'gay warning' denied BBC News, 25 April 2007
  12. ↑ The closet is a lonely place New Statesman, 23 April 2007
  13. ↑ Politics and alcohol New Statesman, 13 August 2007
  14. ↑ Senior Tory accused of smearing Sir Ian Blair Daily Telegraph, 15 August 2007
  15. ↑ Relief that two weeks of so-called sport is finished Barnet Press, 28 August 2008
  16. ↑ Olympic hero Bradley slams politician as a prat Hampstead & Highgate Express, 4 September
  17. ↑ "Olympic stars 'tainted' says Tory" BBC News, 29 August 2008
  18. ↑ Community Spirit: Brian Coleman. Times Series, 6 June 1998
  19. ↑ 'Right-wing coup’ Times Series, 18 May 2006
  20. ↑ Barnet Council Local Democracy
  21. ↑ 'Marmite mayor' with four different jobs earns £104,000 plus expenses, Evening Standard, 10 March 2009
  22. ↑ Coleman selected as Barnet mayor Times Series, 20 May 2009
  23. ↑ Standards Sub-Committee Meeting Barnet Council, 10 September 2009
  24. ↑ Mayor sent blogger abusive e-mail BBC News, 10 September 2009
  25. ↑ Coleman given £10,000 solicitor to face standards board Times Series, 15 May 2009
  26. ↑ Top Barnet Tory tries to gag Times Series over £10,000 legal bill Times Series, 15 May 2009
  27. ↑ Coleman in breach of council code Times Series, 10 September 2009
  28. ↑ "I feel vindicated" says Barnet blogger after Coleman's code breach Times Series, 17 September 2009
  29. ↑ STANDARDS SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT
  30. ↑ Sarah Collings (9 March 2012). "Councillor Brian Coleman must apologise for ‘abuse’". Ham & High. Retrieved 10 March 2012. 
  31. ↑ Marcus Dysch (8 March 2012). "Ex-mayor forced to say sorry for 'blackshirts' outburst". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 11 March 2012. 
  32. ↑ Chris Hewett (17 August 2012). "Councillor Brian Coleman's appeal against Barnet Council's standards committee ruling rejected". Times Series. Retrieved 2012-10-26. 
  33. ↑ Chris Hewett (25 September 2012). "Barnet Council could take action against Conservative Councillor Brian Coleman for ignoring tribunal order over rude emails". Times Series. Retrieved 2012-10-26. 
  34. ↑ Chris Hewett (26 September 2012). "Barnet Councillor Brian Coleman called for talks with Conservative group leader". Times Series. Retrieved 2012-10-26. 
  35. ↑ Chris Hewett (3 October 2012). "Conservative Barnet Councillor Brian Coleman billed for legal fees over rude emails tribunal". Times Series. Retrieved 2012-10-26. 
  36. ↑ Chris Hewett (25 October 2012). "Conservative Barnet Council member Brian Coleman pens apology for 'Nazi blackshirt 'email". Times Series. Retrieved 2012-10-26. 
  37. ↑ Chris Hewett (24 October 2012). "Councillor Brian Coleman facing suspension from Barnet Tory group". Times Series. Retrieved 2012-10-26. 
  38. ↑ Gary Sakol website, 28 February 2012
  39. ↑ maketh the man, or so they say. Sadly, Brian Coleman seems to enjoy giving taxpayers the impression he does not have any. Times Series, 29 February 2012
  40. ↑ Bumper pay increase for Conservative councillors. The Telegraph, 17 July 2010
  41. ↑ Minister criticises Barnet Council's pay rises. BBC News, 14 July 2010
  42. ↑ Councillor outcast for vote abstention. Times Series, 16 July 2010
  43. ↑ Coleman briefly raised on high Times Series, 8 July 2003
  44. ↑ Times Series, 31 August 2006
  45. ↑ Diary The Guardian, 6 September 2006
  46. ↑ "Blue Peter woman defies BBC to share platform with mayor". The Times, 15 August 2007
  47. ↑ Blue Peter star in bias warning BBC News, 15 August 2007
  48. ↑ Brian Coleman gives his views on Barnet light-rail scheme Ham and High, 26 February 2009
  49. ↑ Revamped Barnet Council cabinet will push through easyCouncil plans Times Series, 18 May 2010
  50. ↑ Opposition Save The Lane
  51. ↑ Partingdale Lane opens after controversial ceremony Times Series, 20 December 2002
  52. ↑ Judge says Partingdale Lane should stay shut Times Series, 2 April 2003
  53. ↑ Lane change is a 'victory' Times Series, 27 September 2007
  54. ↑ Another car accident in reopened 'danger lane' Times Series, 27 September 2007
  55. ↑ Third car crash in £250k 'safer' road Times Series, 22 May 2008
  56. ↑ Car crash in dangerous road Times Series, 19 November 2008
  57. ↑ Accident in 'dangerous' lane Times Series, 3 April 2009
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 Tory Brian Coleman loses seat to Labour London Evening Standard, 4 May 2012
  59. ↑ Diary The Guardian 16 September 2004
  60. ↑ Duels and dignity for Brian Times Series, 24 June 2004
  61. ↑ "the king of bling is back" Times Series, 3 May 2008
  62. ↑ Brian Coleman: Maggie T, Nicky G, BoJo and me Hampstead and Highgate Express 16 May 2008
  63. ↑ "London election 2012: Barnet & Camden results". BBC News Online. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-04. 
  64. ↑ Mayor criticises 'huge' taxi bill BBC News 7 July 2007
  65. ↑ Brian Coleman's extraordinary £10,000 taxi bill Mayor of London Press Release 6 July 2007
  66. ↑ Cab for Coleman? That will be £10k Times Series, 11 July 2007
  67. ↑ Monitoring Of Expenses 2007/08 GLA Audit Panel Report 17 October 2007
  68. ↑ GLA audit says follow that 'massive' cab bill Times Series, 23 October 2007
  69. ↑ Monitoring of Expenses 2007/08 GLA Audit Panel Report 4 March 2008
  70. ↑ Coleman fails to curb taxi spending Times Series, 11 March 2008
  71. ↑ 'Grab-a-cab Coleman' under fire, Metro, 9 April 2008
  72. ↑ Monitoring of Expenses 2007/08 GLA Audit Panel Report, 17 July 2008
  73. ↑ Assembly member's £8,000 cab bill BBC News, 17 July 2008
  74. ↑ 'Grab-a-cab' Coleman's £8K taxi bill Metro, 17 July 2008
  75. ↑ Corporate Assessment London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, 3 February 2009
  76. ↑ Brian Coleman accuses fellow Conservative councillors of homophobia Pink News, 22 August 2008
  77. ↑ Fire brigade’s Southwark training centre and museum under threat London SE1, 7 September 2008
  78. ↑ Fire Brigade Campaigners Brassed Off With 'Insulting' Chair Southwark News, 10 October 2008
  79. ↑ Heated debate over Fire Brigade Museum South London Press, 8 October 2008
  80. ↑ Coleman, Brian (23 April 2007). "The closet is a lonely place". New Statesman. Retrieved 18 May 2012. 
  81. ↑ Jones, George (25 April 2007). "Heath warned about gay sex trysts". Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 18 May 2012. 
  82. ↑ Bob Roberts (25 April 2007). "Hamps-Ted Heath". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 18 May 2012. 
  83. ↑ "PM Ted 'cruised for gay sex'". The Sun. 25 April 2007. Retrieved 18 May 2012. 
  84. ↑ 'New footage emerges of alleged G20 police misconduct The Guardian, 14 April 2009
  85. ↑ 'London assembly Conservative blames woman for G20 vigil 'police assault' The Guardian, 16 April 2009
  86. ↑ Mayor blasts senior Tory for not publishing his expenses Evening Standard, 7 July 2009
  87. ↑ Boris demands Coleman prints expenses Evening Standard, 8 July 2009
  88. ↑ Brian Coleman – Expenses Greater London Authority
  89. ↑ Barnet Mayor Brian Coleman in 'you are an odious toad' row Times Series, 27 October 2009
  90. ↑ Mayor Coleman's 'odious toad' comments 'totally outrageous' Times Series, 28 October 2009
  91. ↑ "Odious toad" says Barnet Mayor Brian Coleman is desperate to be quoted Times Series, 4 November 2009
  92. ↑ Decision Notice Assessment Sub Committee of the Greater London Authority Standards Committee, 2 February 2010
  93. ↑ Peter Dominiczak (19 October 2011). "£120,000-a-year Tory tells desperate mother to 'live in real world'". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 19 March 2012. 
  94. ↑ "Tory councillor Brian Coleman arrested for assault after camera row". London Evening Standard. 21 September 2012. Retrieved 2012-10-26. 
  95. ↑ Emma Innes (22 October 2012). "Tory councillor Brian Coleman charged with assault by Barnet Police". Times Series. Retrieved 2012-10-26. 
  96. ↑ "Brian Coleman to be tried for assault and careless driving" bbc.co.uk.
  97. ↑ "CCTV footage of Brian Coleman assaulting Ms Michael"
  98. ↑ "Barnet Councillor Brian Coleman admits parking row attack"
  99. ↑
  100. ↑
  101. ↑

External links

Current members of the London Assembly (as of 2012)
Labour
Conservative
Green
Liberal Democrats
italics = Party-list members
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.