Spin Doctor accused of using post office closures for political gain

David Hennigan

Liberal Democrat spin doctor David Hennigan has been accused of issuing a press release for short term political gain. The accusation relates to Mr Hennigan's decision to prematurely release news of a proposal for Rochdale Council to subsidise post offices threatened with closure.

Conservative Spokesman Ian Duckworth said: "The Lib Dem's spin doctor has decided to make a premature press release, not for the sake of the Post Offices threatened but for short term political gain."

Mr Duckworth added: "Firstly, he has broken an agreement made when the Conservatives proposed stepping in to save the five threatened Post Offices, where it was decided that no announcement should be made until after the consultation period ended; the logic being that if the government knew that the Council was going to subsidise the Post Offices targeted then it could feel safe to close them.

"Secondly, it goes against the Lib Dem's policy, as Paul Rowen let slip at a recent public meeting, to actually privatise all Post Offices.

"Instead of the kiss of life, the kiss of death has been delivered to all five threatened Post Offices but as long as the Lib Dems get their easy headlines and cheap votes they're happy.

"And if people don't believe me, come back in 18 months time and show me any Post Office they have saved.

"I'm really angered and saddened for the elderly, disabled and young mothers who will suffer because of the Lib Dem's lack of real responsibility."