Meral challenges Home Secretary to get out of her limo and walk round Islington

1.58.00pm GMT Wed 23rd Jan 2008

Labour's Home Secretary is out of touch

Lib Dem campaigner Meral Ece has challenged controversial Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, to come and walk about Islington to see the local community for herself.

Residents were angered by Ms Smith's comments this weekend that she would not feel safe walking round deprived areas at night.

Meral Ece says "The Home Secretary's comments will not have instilled much confidence in members of the public, like nurses, who are forced to walk home, often late at night, without the comfort of a 24 hour bodyguard! I challenge Jacqui Smith to get out of her limo; come and walk about Islington & Hackney with me, and hear from local people first-hand.

"Rising crime and particularly, the rise in violent crime is a matter of real concern for residents. We have seen young people, like Etem Celebi murdered in recent months in Hackney, and Nasruddin Osawe, killed in broad daylight at the busy Angel shopping Centre in Islington.

"As Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith is responsible for crime and policing. She should come and see for herself, and talk to local people. When Jacqui Smith became Home Secretary, I thought as a woman and a mother she might be more down to earth. But now she has proved herself as out of touch as all the other Labour MPs."

Meral has already pledged to use her GLA campaign to highlight issues of crime and safety, and to work to make London a safer place to live.

"Crime is now the top concern for residents in Hackney & Islington. This is my family's home. My son goes to school here. We need politicians who will work to make Hackney safer, not insult us from a distance."

For more information contact Meral Ece, 07949 678 597

Read more on: http://meralece.blogspot.com/