Briddock condemns Mayor suspension as an Assault on Democracy

The London Mayor Ken Livingstone has been suspended for four weeks after being found guilty of bringing his office into disrepute by comparing a Jewish reporter to a concentration camp guard.

A disciplinary tribunal said he had been "unnecessarily insensitive and offensive" when approached by a journalist from London's Evening Standard after a party at City Hall last February.

Shepway Lib Dem Treasurer Darren Briddock has added his voice to the MPs, Councillors and activists across the country condemning the Standards Board disciplinary committee for removing an elected representative over the head of the people who voted for him.

Shepway Lib Dem Treasurer Darren Briddock commented:

"Whilst I do not support what Mr Livingston said it is utterly outrageous that he is suspended and prevented from doing his democratically elected job.

"Only the voters at the ballot box should have the power to remove an elected person from office.

"This is one more step towards removing democracy from the United Kingdom. Shame on everyone evolved in this shabby business."