LABOUR MINISTER'S OWN GOAL

1.38.03pm GMT Mon 22nd Feb 2010

Residents in Mile End were invited to a question and answer session with local MP and junior Minister Jim Fitzpatrick at the British Estate community centre on Saturday, only to be told when they got there that he had gone to watch West Ham play a football match instead.

People who turned up in the hope of raising concerns about high-density housing developments in the Mile End area were further flabbergasted when the Labour ward councillors present did not stay to discuss the issues, but said they were going out electioneering instead, leaving members of the public alone with the coffee and biscuits.

Local resident and Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Poplar and Limehouse, Jonathan Fryer, who attended the event with several of his neighbours, commented, 'I thought the meeting was a positive initiative, which was why I went along. I can't believe the contempt with which we were treated by our MP. Talk about an own goal!'

Further information from: Jonathan Fryer 07792 411331