Tory councillor apologises for "offensive" remarks but Labour MP says she must go
Shepherd’s Bush MP Andy Slaughter has called for the suspension of Cllr Lucy Ivimy after she blamed immigrants for throwing rubbish out of windows at the Woodford Court estate on Shepherd’s Bush Green.
The controversy began after a residents’ meeting last week, when Cllr Ivimy sent an email to housing officials, suggesting that Indian immigrants were responsible for throwing litter out of the tower block windows into the communal gardens below.
Ivimy, who is the Hammersmith and Fulham cabinet member for housing, reportedly wrote: “I think we need to a) sort out some regular cleaning up of the garden and b) conduct an educational exercise to tell people not to throw stuff out of the window – particularly foreign-born residents."
"I know that in India throwing rubbish out of a window and total disregard for the cleanliness of a public area is normal behaviour and I dare say a number would change behaviour if firmly told that in London this is not acceptable behaviour.”
Shepherd’s Bush’s MP, Andy Slaughter, who called the remarks “outrageous”, said he had written to Conservative Party leader, David Cameron, calling for him to take action.
“I hope you agree with me that the comments made by Cllr Ivimy are offensive and completely unacceptable from anyone holding a position in public life. I urge you to suspend her from membership of the Conservative Party immediately,” he wrote.
Residents told reporters that there were only a few Indian families living at the Woodford Court estate, and most people in the building were of Afro-Caribbean, Chinese or east European backgrounds.
“We don’t know who is throwing the rubbish. That’s the whole point. We would never mention any race,” the chairman of the residents’ association, Deana Maddix is reported to have said.
“There's a problem with rubbish because the council is not collecting it, not because of one race of people," former Royal Marine, Richard Pell, added.
On Tuesday evening, Cllr Ivimy apologised for what she had written, reportedly saying: "This was a hastily written, ill-thought out, stupid, personal email. On reflection of course I can see how the comments may be offensive.”
"That was never my intention and therefore I apologise. My absolute priority is to improve our estates and thus improve the lives of tenants and leaseholders."
11 June 2008
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