Shame on Sharma

2.53.59pm GMT Fri 23rd Nov 2007

Ealing Southall Lib Dem campaigner Nigel Bakhai

Nigel Bakhai, Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman for Ealing Southall, has criticised local MP Virendra Sharma following news that Mr Sharma has been removed from a position as a School Governor because of his failure to attend meetings of the school's governing body.

Lib Dem candidate Nigel Bakhai raised concerns about Sharma's suitability during the Ealing Southall by-election because of his poor attendance record at council meetings. However, Virendra Sharma MP has now been removed from the governing body of Wolf Fields Primary School because, without the consent of the governing body, he failed to attend any full meetings of the Governing Body for a continuous period of six months. Commenting on the news, Nigel Bakhai said: "As a local school governor myself, I know how important this work is and it needs someone who is committed. However, once again Mr Sharma is missing meetings that he is supposed to attend. This reflects badly on Mr Sharma and his commitment to the school."

Nigel Bakhai has also raised concerns that four months after the by-election, Virendra Sharma still has not published any contact details for his Westminster office. and that he is letting his constituents down if there is no way they can contact him. Nigel said: "It is vitally important that constituents should be able to contact their local MP when they need help, but Mr Sharma obviously doesn't think this is a priority."

Nigel added: "The people of Ealing Southall need an active and hard-working MP to represent us in parliament. However, Mr Sharma is still trying to divide his time as a local councillor in Norwood Green as well as the MP for Ealing Southall when he is obviously not capable of fulfilling both these roles. It is now time for him to stand down as a councillor."