Sheffield Lib Dems call for investigation into Royal Navy affiliation debacle

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 22nd May 2007

HMS Sheffield

In the wake of the Star's revelation that Sheffield City Council turned down the opportunity to affiliated with a Royal Navy ship, the Liberal Democrat Group on the Council are set to call for a full investigation into the debacle. Lib Dems are incensed that the decision to turn down the chance to affiliate Sheffield with the HMS Diamond was taken behind closed doors and not brought to the attention of council members.

They will move a motion at the next council meeting which, if accepted, will see the launch of an investigation into why the decision was made in private. Lib Dems will also call on council officers to go back to the Royal Navy to see if the offer of affiliation is still available.

Cllr Paul Scriven, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Sheffield City Council, said: -

"It is unacceptable that this decision was taken behind closed doors and in secret. There was no consultation with veteran associations, members of the council or most importantly the people of Sheffield. We need to know who took the decision to turn down the offer of affiliation and why nobody was consulted about it."

"We will move a motion at the next meeting of council which, if accepted, will see an investigation into the issue. We will also be calling on council officers to go back to the Royal Navy to see if the offer of affiliation is still on the table."

The 2pm June 6th Council meeting will see the Lib Dems move a motion that, if accepted, will open an investigation and re-open negotiations with the Royal Navy.

See original report in the Star newspapers: -

<http://www.thestar.co.uk/news?articleid=2888480>;