Liberal Democrat PPC complains over police response to airport protest
Liberal Democrat candidate for the Southend West seat Peter Welch has criticised the police over their presence at a protest over the Southend Airport expansion.
Mr Welch was referring to an event last week, where Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker had visited the airport to meet residents who oppose the expansion.
Police were present during the meeting and took photographs of those assembled.
Police spokeswoman Donna Veasey told the Echo: “We took the pictures to prevent any crime and disorder taking place.
“Due to there being none, the images will be destroyed.”
Mr Welch was outraged by the police activity. He told CouncilBust.com:
“The place seemed to fill up with police, taking photographs of everyone who moved.
“Norman Baker sat and talked with a group of people from SAEN, and a more orderly, peaceful and respectable group of people you cannot imagine.
“This is a terrible symptom of Brown’s Britain, and the slippery slope to an ID-card carrying state.
“Not only was there no criminal activity taking place, but it was impossible to believe that anything illegal was going to happen.
“This was a group of concerned citizens, sharing their views and concerns with the Liberal Democrat transport spokesman.”
Why was the group using the airport for their meeting?
I think the Police have every right to photograph people that actively publicise an association with a well known anti-airport protest group.
The police would very criticised for not acting soon enough if anyone tried to disrupt operations at the airport compromising safety and security.
Don’t allow a vocal minority prevent vital improvements at the airport!
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