City of London Corporation accused of politicising its primary council
The City of London Corporation has been accused by one of its councillors of going beyond its remit and attacking the government in a “political stunt”.
The corporation’s Court of Common Council, its key decision making body, approved a motion last week to give its “full and unequivocal support” to the independence of the UK’s judiciary.
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It said the council should value “the City’s deep rooted connections with the justice system” and reiterate its commitment to providing court facilities in the Square Mile.
The motion also reaffirmed a commitment to “promoting the rule of law” and expressed concern at perceived attacks on the UK’s judiciary.
The motion was “overwhelmingly supported”, according to a City of London spokesperson.
However, some councillors questioned the timing of the motion.
David Bradshaw, deputy for the ward of Cripplegate, told City A.M. the motion was clearly a response to the recent Supreme Court decision that ruled the government’s extended prorogation of parliament was illegal.
The motion originally included a commitment to “note” the unanimous decision of the Supreme Court over the government’s prorogation.
This clause was removed through an amendment during the meeting.
Bradshaw said: “This was nothing more than us finger wagging at the government [over the supreme court decision].
“We own and run the Old Bailey and we have a police force – it’s already totally obvious we believe in the rule of law.
“It was a total political stunt and we as an organisation need to be a-political.”
An inside source at the City of London said there were only two types of councillors who voted against the motion.
“One type are small-c conservatives who have been with the City of London forever and believe that it should never get involved in anything political,” they said.
“And the other type are hardcore Brexiteers who thought it was an outrage for the City of London to support the judiciary after the supreme court decision.
The motion was put forward by Bishopsgate ward deputy Tom Sleigh and had 24 councillors as signatories.
Sleigh said he forwarded the motion because he was concerned about recent attacks on the judiciary from “some parts of the media and some public figures”.
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“We have spent almost 1,000 years being involved in law making in London, and we have unique position in that we can speak out and support the judiciary, which can’t promote itself,” he said.
“We recognise the commitment it has made to London over this time.”