ANDY HOSKEN'S BOOK ON DAME SHIRLEY PORTER

EDM number 1998 in 2005-06, proposed by Andrew Dismore on 20/04/2006.

That this House congratulates BBC Today reporter Andy Hosken on his book, Nothing Like a Dame, recounting the story of Dame Shirley Porter's regime at Westminster City Council; is reminded of the appalling consequences of her reign of terror, including the 15 pence sale of cemeteries, Homes for Votes gerrymandering, the placing of homeless families in asbestos-ridden tower blocks, the distribution of the whole of the Council's resources to her key ward strategy, and the attempted cover-ups, all exposed by John Magill, District Auditor; notes Mr Hosken's finding, that Porter's alleged achievements leading to the honour of DBE were the illusory product of public relations rather than genuine services delivery; further notes Porter's strenuous effort to avoid paying her liabilities; remembers the consistent failure of the Conservative Party to apologise for her illegal policies and the harm caused; and calls upon the Government to recommend to Her Majesty the Queen, that the honour of DBE should be withdrawn, it having been awarded under false pretences, and representing an affront to those whose public service genuinely merits such recognition.

This motion has been signed by a total of 28 MPs.