Claims made by Councillor David Barton at last Wednesday’s (21st September) Southport Area Committee that an unnamed officer from Merseyside Police sanctioned his plans for a ‘private army’ to patrol the streets of Southport has prompted a senior Lib Dem councillor to call for an inquiry.

Birkdale councillor Simon Shaw is Vice-Chair of the Merseyside Police Panel which oversees the work of the Police Commissioner. He was written to the Commissioner, Jane Kennedy, asking her to ensure that “Merseyside Police investigate to establish who is telling the truth here.”

Last week suspended Conservative councillor David Barton announced his controversial plan for a ‘private army’ to patrol Southport’s streets and this provoked much discussion at the Area Committee meeting.

Local police inspectors attending the meeting expressed their concerns about the proposal and said that they had not been consulted. However Cllr Barton then proceeded to read out a prepared statement in which he claimed that Merseyside Police had “sent out a detective from head office” who allegedly told him that “there is no issue with adopting this approach.”

However suspicions were raised when Cllr David Barton refused to give the name of the officer who he claimed had sanctioned the move, saying “it would be inappropriate at this time to disclose that officer's name”, despite Cllr Shaw asking him twice.

Cllr Shaw condemned the secrecy, saying: “Cllr Barton’s claims about what this ‘secret policeman’ said are highly dubious. As he is implying that someone in the police is not telling the truth, I think it is essential that his claims are fully investigated.”

“In particular I am concerned about his bizarre jibe addressed to the local police inspectors who attended the Area Committee when he said ‘if you don't know about it, maybe there's a reason why not’. It’s all very suspect.”

“That’s why I have written to Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy, advising her of the facts and asking her to ensure that Merseyside Police investigate who, exactly, is telling the truth here.”

The following is a transcript of Cllr David Barton’s prepared statement:
“I have read Merseyside Police's and Southport BID's comments where it is claimed that they knew nothing about security patrols.

I can inform you however that the Force did send out a detective from head office - if you don't know about it, maybe there's a reason why not - I can however assure you that discussion was had on this very matter.

The reply I received was that there is no issue with adopting this approach to tackling anti-social behaviour and that anyone can have a security firm on the proviso that they are fully vetted and licensed. It would be inappropriate at this time to disclose that officer's name; it is not the time to discuss a private conversation of an operational nature.

It is strictly speaking a contract between local businesses and the security firm. And the response to Southport BID: with all due respect, sir, you have had over 18 months to deal with this issue of anti-social behaviour.”

A consummate lesson in how to play catch up before all the photo opportunities evaporate.

Cllr Barton seems to think he is Mr Southport.

I really don't know why they choose to differentiate between "senior" councillors or not but maybe reflective of their egos they choose to serve first before the people of Southport.

In terms of this "top news story", the question really is whether this "call for inquiry" has any value or is it for the ubiquitous political doing down of each other. To me it sounds like we need a clear out of councillors who seem to be unable to work together for our good. As for using the term "private army" for a surveillance company with no legal powers that is being called for out of desperation to improve vandalism issues for businesses is somewhat dramatic. The final point in this article is quite poignant too as they've had time to fix it and haven't.

I can see a tissue needed here....to wipe some egg off his face! Bit like his bin collection fiasco.

Originally Posted by gazaprop

A consummate lesson in how to play catch up before all the photo opportunities evaporate.

Yep..they all do it.

His Mum should take the spade off him before he is unable to climb out of the hole he is digging.

Originally Posted by Little Londoner

His Mum should take the spade off him before he is unable to climb out of the hole he is digging.

That`s a laugh, for a start the little creep hasn`t even the strength to bend its glass back never mind dig a hole.

Out of interest has a date been set yet for its public appearance?

I suspect some VERY nefarious activity going on here behind closed doors; some of which could even possibly be of a masonic nature.

Originally Posted by oldduffer

That`s a laugh, for a start the little creep hasn`t even the strength to bend its glass back never mind dig a hole.

Out of interest has a date been set yet for its public appearance?

I suspect some VERY nefarious activity going on here behind closed doors; some of which could even possibly be of a masonic nature.

or maybe background sleeping partner in a certain security firm!!

Too late now for this self serving tripe;there's no fool like an old fool! He and other "senior councillors" have had long enough on Sefton council to produce some good for the town and delivered nothing other than similar vacuous publicity.

Originally Posted by ECHOEONE

Too late now for this self serving tripe;there's no fool like an old fool! He and other "senior councillors" have had long enough on Sefton council to produce some good for the town and delivered nothing other than similar vacuous publicity.

well up to now we have one person,and one buissness quoting that all our buissnesses ,but not the council ,the bid,and oh yes some policeman unnamed but in the know ,speaking for the stance of all concerned! or can any of us set up a vigilante profit making force in the name of the towns social order!