Disgusted by Lib Dem attempts to smear Charles Adje

I note, with disgust, the attempts by Haringey Lib Dem councillors, and other politically motivated individuals, to try to smear Labour councillor Charles Adje over the Alexandra Palace issue.

My understanding is that Haringey Labour councillors have worked long and hard, over many years, to try to find suitable investors who might preserve this much loved building for the use and benefit of all - while helping to ease the burden on hard-pressed council taxpayers.

Those offers that did come forward, though, would have resulted in Palace facilities having to be reduced or even abandoned altogether.

In these difficult circumstances, the offer made by Firoka - while perhaps not perfect - was the best on the table. It is understandable, then, that Haringey Council wanted to take up this offer It is also understandable that after such a length of time conducting negotiations with various interests, and given the nature of business finance, there was a sense of urgency in wanting to reach a decision on this matter.

Business entrepreneurs are not the sort of people who are likely to want to hang around too long while others haggle and delay - as the subsequent withdrawal of Firoka has shown.

During this time, Lib Dem councillors, while happy to receive their healthy councillor allowances, refused to take up their posts on the Alexandra Palace committee and instead preferred to play silly opposition politics on the issue, further hampering delicate negotiations.

Now they seem thoroughly pleased that the deal has fallen through and Haringey Council is left to pick up the pieces.

Those who are presently congratulating themselves on the part they have played in derailing this project may now like to consider how Alexandra Palace is to be financed in the long-term. Are they likely to cough up the money themselves? I doubt it.

Ian Hunt

Church Crescent, N10