LAMBETH AND NORWOOD LIBERAL DEMOCRAT PARTY

That this House notes that in a letter from 40 members and activists of the Angell ward branch of the Lambeth Liberal Democrat Party to the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, the Right honourable Member for Yeovil, the correspondents allege that Liberal Democrat Councillor Keith Fitchett is using the party to satisfy his personal ammbitions, and that there is a danger of splitting the party from top to bottom and costing the Liberal Democrats the local elections next May; further notes that these members allege that the Liberal Democrat rules have been breached in many particulars, and wish the Right honourable Member to ensure that democracy is restored to the Norwood Liberal Democrat Party; notes that these revelations follow the disclosure in September that Liberal Democrat Councillor Ray Woolford, who fought and won the Angell ward by-election in March on a virulent campaign alleging corruption in Lambeth Council, had himself been convicted in September 1992 at Southwark Crown Court on two charges of obtaining money by deception; notes that these members further allege that Councillor Fitchett had falsely claimed that Councillor Woolford had stolen Town Hall furniture; and calls upon the Right honourable Member for Yeovil to make an immediate statement as to the action he will take to sort out this mess.