London Assembly Member Andrew Dismore steps down from London Fire Authority
London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden, Andrew Dismore, has stepped down from the London Fire Authority. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
The London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden, Andrew Dismore, has stepped down from his role on the London Fire Authority.
The announcement was made after the Labour group on the London Assembly held its annual general meeting this week - amid rumours that Mr Dismore was planning to stand for the leadership of the committee.
A spokesman from the London Assembly Labour group said Mr Dismore had made the decision to step down but refused to comment further on the announcement.
Tory sources have claimed Mr Dismore was ousted by his own party because he was vying for the leadership of the London Fire Authority (LFA).
But speaking to the Ham&High, Mr Dismore said: “I do not comment on internal Labour party meetings, it’s against the rules.
“I have been nominated to sit on a new health committee at the Greater London Authority in the next few weeks.
“I’m sad to be stepping down to a degree, but I hope I will do a good job at taking on the coalition’s health policies.
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“There’s a lot going on at Barnet and Whittington hospitals and I have experience in health when I was in parliament.”
Mr Dismore has campaigned against proposed budget cuts to the fire brigade since taking his seat at last May’s election.
Paul Embery, regional secretary of the London Fire Brigades’ Union, said he was disappointed Mr Dismore will not longer sit on the LFA.
He said: “We are surprised and disappointed because we have worked closely with Andrew.
“He was always very effective and our members are disappointed because we built a good working relationship with him.
“But we respect the fact it’s a Labour group decision.”
The former Hendon MP has been replaced on the LFA by fellow London Assembly Member Valerie Shawcross, who represents Lambeth and Southwark.
