Oxfordshire councillors slammed for siding with ‘criminals’

In a statement on Facebook the Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats said: “Sad to see Conservative councillors taking the side of violent criminals who have been going round our county intimidating local residents and council staff.

“With the news that one of the leading lights in Oxfordshire Raise The Colours, convicted violent thug Ben Cullen, has just been bailed on charges relating to creating sexual images of children, you would think Eddie might have thought twice.”

The statement comes after Councillor Edward Reeves, a District Councillor for Deddington, slammed Oxfordshire County Council for the use of public funds in taking down England flags on lampposts.

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Councillor Eddie Reeves (Image: Contributed)

Reeves said: “Residents may be aware that Oxfordshire County Council has, in recent days, taken a High Court action to prevent England flags being placed on lampposts and on other street furniture across our county.

“With thanks to Councillor Liam Walker for uncovering the latest, it appears that County Hall has since spent a further £79,790.21 in removing such flags.

“This sum, of course, excludes the cost of the legal fees required to bring injunctive relief proceedings in the High Court (more on this to follow).

“Again, one has to reasonably ask, is this a good use of public money during a World Cup?”

“Or, indeed, is it a sensible use of taxpayers’ money at any other time?”

Oxfordshire County Council secured a High Court injunction preventing individuals associated with the group Raise the Colours from placing unauthorised flags on or near the public highway.

The county council said flags had been placed on or near public roads without permission for months, despite a formal legal notice in March and pre-action legal letters sent to individuals last month.

In an AI created Facebook post on Monday, June 29, Councillor Liam Walker also criticised the council for rising costs in removing flags.

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Councillor Liam Walker (Image: Supplied)

He said: “It’s staggering that Oxfordshire County Council has now spent £79,790.21 removing flags from lampposts across the county.

“That’s before you even add the legal costs of the recent High Court action to prevent more flags being put up.

“I’ve consistently warned about the blank cheque the council appears to have written for this work.

“At a time when residents are reporting potholes that remain unfixed for months, road signs are disappearing behind overgrown trees and hedges, and highways maintenance is under real pressure, this simply doesn’t feel like the right priority.

“Nobody disputes that the law should be upheld, but taxpayers also deserve to know whether nearly £80,000, with further legal costs still to come, represents value for money.”