Mayoral adviser quits Labour over "apartheid" row

6.08.00pm GMT Thu 5th Nov 2009

Chris Maines: "Labour are falling apart"

In a shock resignation from Lewisham Labour Party, David Michael, the high-profile Chair of Lewisham Local Police Consultative Group (LCPCG), has accused his fellow Labour party activists of treating him shabbily, claiming "there is a real absence of leadership."

David Michael told Operation Black Vote, "Others may be happy to operate under a scandalous apartheid system accepting that they are second class citizens, but there is no way I can continue in an organisation that is presenting itself like that. I do not want to hoodwink the locals."

Mr Michael has resigned as Labour candidate for Whitefoot ward at next May's local elections.

David Michael, a former senior Police Officer, has been an adviser to Lewisham's Labour Mayor Sir Steve Bullock on policing and community issues. He has been Chair of Catford South Labour Party and claims he was passed over as a candidate in that ward. David Michael accuses his colleagues of allowing "friends to sort out seats for themselves and [leaving] others to pick up the crumbs. A system which does not consider ability or capability and one that is devoid of succession planning or diversity considerations."

Commenting on the resignation, Liberal Democrat member of the LCPCG Cllr Duwayne Brooks said, "David Michael deserves better than to be treated so shabbily by Labour and by what appears to be a small clique in Lewisham who are only concerned with doing favours for their mates. As a Liberal Democrat, I was proud to be selected by local members in Downham earlier this year in what was an open, transparent and democratic process. David's accusations of 'apartheid' within Lewisham Labour Party should be treated very seriously indeed."

Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate Cllr Chris Maines said, "This is a devastating blow to Labour in Lewisham and to Steve Bullock's leadership. His principal adviser on race and policing is accusing the Labour Party of 'apartheid'. Given the nature of their campaign in the Downham by-election earlier this year, where Labour ran a BNP-style 'Union Jack' campaign, it is hardly surprising that some members of our minority communities feel deeply uncomfortable within the Labour Party. They are falling apart."

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