SOME people would argue that a black crow is white, according to the old saying. Barnet s mayor elect, Brian Coleman, often seems to fit the bill. At times he appears to be contrary by nature and whether or not that s true, he s certainly never one to shi

SOME people would argue that a black crow is white, according to the old saying. Barnet's mayor elect, Brian Coleman, often seems to fit the bill. At times he appears to be contrary by nature and whether or not that's true, he's certainly never one to shirk an argument or pour oil on troubled waters - a confrontational trait that may well have inhibited his political career.

This week he is embroiled in a new row over the policing of the G20 summit. While most people view the behaviour of the summit police with concern, Mr Coleman has rushed to their defence, launching a website aimed at encouraging people to praise the police for doing a good job. Predictably, the campaign has had the opposite effect.

Actually, Mr Coleman is right in one respect. Most of the time, the Met does do a very good job, and deserves credit where credit is due. But even by their own admission G20 was not the Met's finest hour and by setting up such a site at a particularly sensitive time, the Barnet and Camden Assembly member is fanning the flames of controversy.

It would be astute of him to abandon the project before word spreads further afield and his 'Commend A Copper' site attracts even more attention from police opponents.

Whatever the outcome of this issue, Mr Coleman's year as Mayor of Barnet should be interesting, to say the least.

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