‘Have we suddenly reached the point where Primrose Hill is so lawless that not even the police can cope?’

• IT was very disappointing to find that Councillor Pat Callaghan had pushed for the permanent early closing of Primrose Hill at weekends, (Deputy council leader backs gates for Primrose Hill park, July 7).

During my time as a councillor, I sat on the licensing committee. I rapidly realised that residents’ perceptions of a nuisance might not be accurate so I started visiting the pubs and restaurants that were applying for extensions, standing outside them at closing time to see what was actually happening.

Much to the amusement of all concerned I always declared that I had done this in the committee and made even-handed comments.

A rave on Primrose Hill at 3am does not make sense. It is too cold.

I host a weekly Zoom meeting called “Primrose Hill Keepers” where the regular participants share notes on activities on the hill. If fireworks go off in the middle of the night we hear about it quickly.

I thought I heard a rave one night and went on to the hill to see what was happening. There was nothing going on. When I returned home the rave was still happening. It turned out to be a private house party.

Have we suddenly reached the point where Primrose Hill is so lawless that not even the police can cope?

I challenge Cllr Callaghan to publish her evidence for these raves. As a Tory, I will donate £10 to the Labour Party, up to a value of £50, for every picture she can publish of a rave accompanied by a police report.

If, as I suspect, there will be no evidence, perhaps she should do a Boris Johnson and resign.

If these raves turn out to be private house parties, and the hill has been gated off for no reason, it could end up being the Labour Party’s very own “partygate”.

JONNY BUCKNELL
Chamberlain Street, NW1