Rival fails in bid to oust under-fire politician

Cllr Brian Woodrow

LABOUR Party fixers have failed in a dramatic bid to oust the Town Hall’s planning chairman following a see-saw battle at the group’s annual meeting.
Councillor Brian Woodrow, who is facing Standards Board charges over his handling of planning applications connected with the massive redevelopment of King’s Cross, retained his planning role when a challenge by former mayor Councillor Heather Johnson was defeated in a knife-edge 17-16 vote on Monday.
Allies of Cllr Woodrow had long expected a challenge at the annual reshuffle but did not forecast the drama of such a narrow vote.
Party members were divided, with insiders privately revealing afterwards how a bitter split pitted the planning chief’s defiant supporters against senior Labour councillors who urged backbenchers to back Cllr Johnson’s takeover bid.
Some councillors had been told by party organisers that they had to attend the session held in the Town Hall’s main chamber.
But several sources said the rare bid to ‘whip’ members taking part in the poll was stymied because councillors whose votes might have tipped the result missed the meeting.
Many members said that Cllr Johnson, who previously chaired the licensing committee, was persuaded to stand at a late stage as the leadership desperately searched for a challenger to Cllr Woodrow.
One source said: “As I understand it, a lot of people were asked to stand but said they wouldn’t do it.”
Although a long-serving member of the council, Cllr Johnson does not hold an executive position. She told colleagues she wanted the job because the building issues affected everyday life. She is thought to have also played up the experience she gained while serving on licensing panels.
Cllr Woodrow, who cannot be challenged again for six months, said: “I am obviously pleased to continue doing the job I have been doing since 1998 with the support of my colleagues on the development control committee.”
He has upset Labour’s top brass by refusing to withdraw from discussions on the redevelopment of King’s Cross – Europe’s biggest construction project, valued in excess of £2 billion.
Labour’s annual meeting saw few changes at the top. Finance chief Councillor John Mills had been due to step down as treasurer but will now stay on until September, when the council’s departments are due to be reorganised and when further elections will be held.
Former mayor Councillor Nash Ali was elected to head the community engagement portfolio. He replaces Councillor Sue Vincent, who stood down in that role. She also stood down as deputy leader, allowing Councillor Theo Blackwell to become leader Councillor Jane Roberts’ number two in an uncontested election.
Cllr Barbara Hughes, with more than 20 years’ experience on the council, is due to become the new mayor next month.