Cllr Leo Cassarani

• THE decision not to allow Cllr Leo Cassarani to stand again as a Labour councillor is deeply shameful and reflective of how thoroughly detached Camden Labour have become from the needs of their residents, (Deselections: Labour only wants yes-men, says blocked councillor, December 9).

Leo was one of three excellent candidates who won the ward for Labour for the first time in 20 years. They did this by speaking to thousands of residents from across the political spectrum, attending community events, and helping resolve local issues.

Time and again Leo has shown his dedication to the residents of Swiss Cottage. He was outspoken in his campaign against the Deliveroo “dark kitchens” in the ward, engaging consistently with residents and appearing on a Panorama documentary about their effect on communities.

The proposed boundary changes would have split an entire social housing estate into two wards, dividing the close-knit community in the Hilgrove Estate.

The three councillors spent many weeks working with the community to oppose this change; and their counter proposal was accepted in full by the Boundary Commission.

It is increasingly difficult to find councillors prepared to give up their time for this type of deep community activism.

It is worth mentioning that the former whip of Camden Labour is a demonstrable liar, who spent years patronising his own residents by masquerading on Twitter as a mother living in a council house. Later he furthered his own misogyny by attempting to blame his wife, an act of astounding cowardice.

Lazzaro Pietragnoli’s vicious remarks about the former mayor of Camden, Maryam Eslamdoust, directed at her while she was pregnant, show him to be a sexist browbeater, entirely unsuitable for public office.

There are questions to be asked about his involvement in Labour’s Local Campaign Forum’s decision, as well as about the wider culture of collusion, victimisation, and whitewashing within Camden Labour. Leo is a compassionate and highly analytical councillor, with an attention to detail rare in local government.

As a former resident in Swiss Cottage, I was struck by his effective scrutiny of council decisions and speaking out for anyone lacking a political voice.

The Camden LCF have done themselves a massive disservice by claiming him unfit to stand again. I fear this will have grave repercussions for democracy and accountability in the borough.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED, NW6