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Did GLA candidate abuse funds?
AN ENFIELD councillor has been accused of using public money to boost his profile in a forthcoming election.
Housing cabinet member Matthew Laban is standing as Greater London Authority (GLA) candidate for Enfield and Haringey.
He has been criticised by opposition councillors for going after ethnic minority votes by hosting Kurdish New Year celebrations - or Newroz - which had been given a housing theme and were billed as an attempt to engage the community on the their housing problems.
He was also featured in an advert promoting a homelessness consultation in Greek and Turkish and local press, with the words "a personal message from Cllr Laban", signed "I look forward to hearing from you, Matthew Laban" and featuring a photograph of the councillor.
But Cllr Laban said this style of advertising was a growing trend.
He said: "I think we are going to be doing more of that and if I have taken the lead on that then all well and good."
Cllr Laban said the housing theme was chosen because a significant number of Kurds were in temporary accommodation and the event was linked to Newroz because it would encourage more people to come.
The Newroz ceremony and the advertising both happened before the GLA campaigning period began on Tuesday, March 18, so did not contravene any local government election guidelines.
Opposition councillor Jeff Rodin, leader of the Labour group, said the moves still amounted to "flagrant electioneering".
The council recently withdrew a consultation document with Cllr Laban's picture on because of concerns it would contravene guidelines.
A spokesman said it was common for councillors' photographs to appear in the forewords of consultation documents but could not provide evidence of adverts with pictures on.
2:19pm Wednesday 16th April 2008
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