War of words over 'axing' of Gloucestershire police force
A WAR of words has broken out between Gloucester MP Richard Graham and his Labour predecessor Parmjit Dhanda over old plans to merge Gloucestershire's police force into a bigger regional force.
Mr Graham told Parliament that Mr Dhanda had "campaigned specifically to abolish the Gloucestershire constabulary" – the very force his wife Rupi wants to head up as a candidate for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections on November 15.
Mr Dhanda used a Twitter comment on Wednesday to hit back and refute the claim he had called for the force's abolition.
The attack on the former Labour MP referred to comments he had made in The Citizen back in 2005, when plans to merge the Gloucestershire Constabulary with other regions were on the cards.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
In the article he said: "I want a bigger police force because I want a better police force."
Mr Dhanda told The Citizen yesterday: "Richard Graham had an opportunity to speak up for the 125 police officers that are about to lose their job and for the thousands of people who depend on Barton Street police station.
"He chose not to do those things, but instead attack me personally and accuse me of telling lies about abolishing the constabulary."
But Mr Graham has since said: "This is a curious accusation. All the evidence suggests that Mr Dhanda supported a regionalisation of our constabulary."
The fierce debate between the pair comes just two days after Mrs Dhanda launched her campaign to win the £65,000 role of Police and Crime Commissioner.
Comments
by Bonkim2003
Sunday, October 28 2012, 11:06AM
“agree with Sandrapee - all this is total waste of time.”
by SandraPee
Sunday, October 28 2012, 10:22AM
“It will be very interesting to see how many people bother to vote . Sadly, I feel that the majority of residents are just bewildered and sick and tired of the whole political system .”
by North Glos EPC
Saturday, October 27 2012, 11:59AM
“Perhaps for different reasons but to my mind both MP Richard Graham and his Labour predecessor Parmjit Dhanda are and were a complete waste of space. Both follow (followed) their espective part line, rather than voice the wishes of the Gloucester electorate, in order to self promote themselves. Couldn't or can't take either seriously and I'll not vote for anything either are associated with.”
by Agiladriver
Saturday, October 27 2012, 11:03AM
“Well look on the bright side, at least we now know our current MP is actually alive.
I thought he was away acting in a stage version of the Invisible Man.”
by Bonkim2003
Saturday, October 27 2012, 8:29AM
“Not sure whether any of the candidates, some from outside the county will make much difference. Any number of local officials and Judges, Sheriffs, etc, are elected locally in the US, and communities set their budgets, have much greater local powers, etc, etc; totally meaningless - to have one official - the police Commissioner to be elected to replace the present Police Committee.”
by Ysedra
Friday, October 26 2012, 5:57PM
“In a word, Areaman, yes. You don't win an election campaign by allowing public criticism of you to stand.
But what is this bizarre post supposed to mean? 'Got abuse of (sic) some of Gloucester's finest Community Support Officer's (sic, again)'?
http://tinyurl.com/7mdgomo”
by SELINA30
Friday, October 26 2012, 4:04PM
“Its very ungentlemanly of Richard Graham to drag Rupi Dhanda into one of his political out of touch rants.”
by Ysedra
Friday, October 26 2012, 1:20PM
“Is this why Mike Wilkinson is blocked from Following Dhanda's Twitter account?”
by honslknjklyt
Friday, October 26 2012, 11:48AM
“I would love Mr Dhanda to come back as MP and replace Richard Graham.”
by capital1978
Friday, October 26 2012, 9:49AM
“Attacking a candidate for the once expressed views of a spouse is contemptible. I would have expected better from Mr Graham”