Taxpayers’ money meant for No Deal planning ‘blown on anti-Brexit rally’

THOUSANDS of pounds of taxpayers’ money set aside for “no deal” planning may have been blown on an anti-Brexit rally, it was claimed yesterday.

Council chiefs were given £56.6 million to help avoid any disruption when Britain leaves the EU next month.

But a furious minister fears a chunk of cash sent to one authority may have been diverted to cover the cost of a “Remoaners’ whinge-fest”.

Winchester Council allowed the event to be staged at the city’s Guildhall last weekend – when the building was draped in party political banners.

Officials also hired security guards and stewards for demo and allegedly plan to use some of their Brexit planning cash to cover the cost.

Communities Secretary James Brokenshire has fired off a letter to the city’s chief executive Laura Taylor demanding an explanation.

He warned that merely using civil premises for party political activity could be a breach of the council’s own code of conduct.

About 2,000 people marched through the Hampshire cathedral city last weekend which ended with a speech by Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable from the Guildhall’s iconic steps.

CITY 'WASTES CASH ON REVOLT'

Fellow Remainers Baroness Kramer and Lord Adonis also addressed the crowd and demanded a second referendum.

Winchester Council was handed £17,000 from the Brexit preparation fund along with a checklist of things to do to prepare for March 29.

But Mr Brokenshire acted after being alerted about the demo to stress his “strong expectation” that the money was not spent on the demo. He has also demanded that Ms Taylor clarifies the nature of the February 9 event.

A Tory source told The Sun on Sunday: “It is as breath-taking as it is shocking that this council should use hard-working taxpayers’ money to help stage a Lib Dem Remoaners’ whinge-fest when the money should be used to prepare for Brexit.

“Council pen-pushers should calculate the cost of this and present the Lib Dems with a bill immediately, so taxpayers can get their cash back pronto.”
A spokesman for Winchester City Council said:

Ms Taylor said: “The Guildhall is a public building and its steps have been used as a place of protest and rally for decades by a wide-range of political parties and groups.

“The council decided that to stop access for this rally would be inconsistent with the historical use of the steps as a platform for free speech. This approach was supported by the Conservative administration of the city council.

“No money from central government was used to fund any expense related to the rally. The council believes no rules or standards were broken in allowing the speakers to use the steps.”

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