Wirral Council tries to ban filming of public meeting to award Freedom of the Borough to the 96 who died in Hillsborough!
On Friday evening, at a public meeting of all Wirral Council’s councillors, freedom of the borough is expected to be awarded to the 96 that died in the Hillsborough disaster.
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I filmed Liverpool City Council award freedom of the city of Liverpool to the 96 who died in Hillsborough last year (which can be viewed above), freedom of the borough for PC Dave Phillips last year and the award of freedom of the borough for 107 (Lancashire & Cheshire) Field Squadron Royal Engineers (Volunteers) and the 234 (Wirral) Transport Squadron Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteers) in 2012.
I was therefore surprised to receive the following email below from Kevin McCallum this afternoon. I have sent a response back asking Wirral Council’s Interim Monitoring Officer to provide advice to councillors as to whether this is lawful as Wirral Council are required to provide reasonable facilities for the purpose of filming the public meeting.
I’ve also pointed out I’m quite happy to film from the Council Chamber, as I have done before for a public meeting of the Wirral Schools Forum. Filming from the Council Chamber was done by another media organisation during the freedom of borough meeting for PC Dave Phillips last year. I’ve removed Kevin’s mobile number from the email below as as far as I know it’s not made public. I’ve also not included the LGC Awards 2015 Most Improved Council logo and the boilerplate text at the end.
from: MacCallum, Kevin
to: John Brace <john@johnbrace.com>
date: 11 September 2017 at 14:29
subject: Freedom of the Borough council, Friday.
Hi John,
Just wanted to let you know in advance of Friday that unfortunately the public gallery will be off-limits for the Freedom of the Borough event, as it is being reserved for invited guests of the families.
We are filming the entire event and will be posting it onto our YouTube channel.
If you would still like to attend you, along with any other members of the public wishing to view the formal part of the event, will be asked to use one of the Committee Rooms on the ground floor, where sound will be played through from the Chamber.
Thanks
Kev
Kev MacCallum
Head of Communications
Communications & Marketing
T: 0151 691 8388
M: XXXXX XXX XXX
E: kevinmaccallum@wirral.gov.uk
W: www.wirral.gov.uk & www.wirralview.com
Updated 11.3.18 I finally found the footage of the meeting over 6 months later, it hadn’t been published on Wirral Council’s Youtube Channel as Kevin suggested, but the channel of Paul Frost on the 19th September 2017.
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So wirral want to do what Liverpool did a case of ‘Monkey see Monkey do’
The Liverpool City Council meeting happened in the weeks after the jury ruled last year that 96 people had been unlawfully killed.
To be expected from these immoral swine. It’s also liar and serial dodger of accountability Phil Davies’ faux impassioned calls for justice on behalf of members of the public that stick in most people’s craw.
The Wirral View mentions how after the meeting on Friday, the gardens at Wallasey Town Hall will be dedicated to the families’ campaign for justice.
28 years later ??
Yes, it is 28 years later after Hillsborough happened.
G’day John
Lets hope “Philly Liar” obeys the leader and steps back for a woman to preside on Friday.
A Liverpool FC fan to boot.
Ooroo
James
“Phil the Very Very Very Very Slimy, Elusive, LYING and Deluded Dill” should never be around “JUSTICE” with his DNA.
Sorry but fed up hearing about Hillsborough, lets this poor people rest in peace!
Here, here – Wirralinittogether comment and John you both do a great job checking the goings on at WBC. They are a disgrace. So I wonder what this barring is all about really? Carry on the good work you both do.
Thanks for your kind words. Since querying it with Wirral Council on Monday I haven’t received a formal response.