Row over Tory's 'ghastly Haringey' comment

nlnews@archant.co.uk
26 September 2007

Brian Coleman

RESIDENTS and the leader of Haringey Council have slammed comments made by a senior London Conservative who described Haringey as "ghastly" and said "decent folk lock their car doors as they drive through" the borough.

Brian Coleman, deputy chairman of the London Assembly, made the comments in a column on, what he believes to be, the decline of suburban areas for the New Statesman magazine.

Leader of the council, Councillor George Meehan, said: "I think he's being very insulting to the people of Haringey and particularly Crouch End and Muswell Hill. You would think that a politician would think carefully before they open their mouth and insult people."

Residents' leaders echoed those sentiments.

Simon Fedida, of Avenue Road Residents' Association, said: "It's grossly unfair. I don't agree with what he says. There are some rough bits but there are some very nice bits. It's just a completely ludicrous statement. It's hardly worth commenting on."

Mr Fedida said Wood Green's Noel Park Estate was "beautiful" and that Woodside was another highlight of the area. Jim Cassins, chairman of South Tottenham Residents' Association, said: "That's the same all over Britain, it's the same all over the world. I just don't think it can be associated just to Haringey.

"There are parts of Haringey that are really nice. That's an over statement from him. There's always room for improvement but Bruce Castle Park is a lovely part and so is Alexandra Palace - it's one of the landmarks of the borough. It's really very nice. We have lots of listed buildings, lots of nice properties. We have some of the finest parks. I don't think it's at the bottom of the list at all.

"I don't know where this man is but he's not seen anything in Haringey. It's come up a lot in the last five years."

John Hajdu, chairman of the Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association, extended an invite to Mr Coleman to tour round the area with him.

"It is really a nonsense thing to say," Mr Hajdu said.

Boris Johnson MP (Conservative), who was campaigning in Wood Green last week as part of his bid to become the Mayor of London, distanced himself from Mr Coleman's comments.

He said: "Like everywhere it has its problems. There are lots of lovely bits and lots of lovely people here. I think generalisations are not particularly helpful.