Town Hall protesters gather to call on Hackney Mayor to resign

Ngozi Fulani at protest calling for Hackney Mayor to resign, 6 September 2023. Photograph: Julia Gregory. Free for use by partners of BBC LDRS news wire

Angry campaigners protested on the steps of the Town Hall yesterday evening, calling for the Mayor of Hackney to resign.

The mayor, Philip Glanville, has taken a leave of absence after being suspended by the Labour party after a photo emerged of him at a Eurovision-themed party with disgraced former councillor Tom Dewey in May 2022 – hours after he was told of Dewey’s arrest.

Glanville had previously said that he had “not seen or spoken to Mr Dewey” since becoming aware of the investigation.

Around 40 to 50 people joined the protest to express their outrage.

One appalled Hackney resident, who has worked in safeguarding, said: “There are so many vulnerable children. People are looking for leadership. It’s hard to safeguard kids in this borough and people want inspiration.

“If you’d heard about that (the arrest) would you be in a party mood?”

‘There’s a certain standard and it feels like it’s fallen short.’ Photograph: Julia Gregory. Free for use by partners of BBC LDRS news wire

One of the residents calling for the Mayor’s resignation said: “If somebody lies about one thing it makes you worry that they might lie about other things. To lie when you are in public office, and the respect it should have, has gone. There’s a certain standard and it feels like it’s fallen short.”

Another of the protestors, Adrian Peacock, said: “We need democratic accountability.”

One of the protest organisers, Clair Battaglino, who has a background in education and safeguarding, said: “If this was a parent of a child in my care I would have reported them (The Mayor) to social services.”

Referring to the party photograph, she said: “To refer to an error of judgement is bad enough, but to lie about it for a year and to cover it up is unforgiveable.”

She claimed the suspension, which is followed by his decision to stand down as Mayor whilst Labour investigates “is a late summer holiday”.

Morning Lane campaigner Heather Mendick, who has clashed with the Mayor over the planned redevelopment of the town centre site told the rally: “We need to demand something better, people who do not see us as opposition but see us as a citizen.”

Ngozi Fulani who founded Hackney-based Sistah Space which supports woman who have been abused told the crowd: “The message has to go back to Phil Glanville his days are numbered.”

She added: “We’re not afraid of you. You’ve got no place in Hackney. Get out, go somewhere else.”

Hackney business owner Viv Broughton said: “The Mayor should resign because he covered up what is a growing scandal.”

The Mayor, who has now been suspended by the Labour party, said it was an “error of judgement” to attend the Eurovision party.

Hackney Labour party has issued a statement saying: “All of us in Hackney Labour are appalled by the crimes of Tom Dewey. The sexual abuse of children in our society is amongst the most heinous of crimes. His duplicity and ability to lead a double life, was it seems well-rehearsed over a period of many years when a number of crimes were committed. We are glad that his criminal behaviour has now been exposed.”

The statement continued: “Above all else our thoughts are with the victims – behind every image is a victim of sexual abuse is a child or vulnerable person whose life is severely damaged by exploitation.”