Islington: The knives are out for Steve Hitchins

Seems some Lib Dem birds are now singing openly in Islington following the downfall of Steve Hitchins - with it has ended his iron fist control and tyrannical reign over the council and the local party. Gossip is rife at the moment.

Monday - trotted along to a PFI2 forum meeting expecting to hear the details of the agreement which is at long last about to be signed. It involves the building improvements internal and external to some 5000 street properties in Islington. It's been heavy going for the past couple of years and now there's light at the end of the tunnel.

There's always somebody on these committees who either nit-picks at everything or who goes back in time over and over again. We got a couple like that. One of the senior members can be fascinating at times. He apparently has a construction background and knows the history of the borough going back over 60 years. He also has his ear to the ground on local issues concerning residents in his area but is not involved with any political party and has never mentioned anything political before.

He took everybody by surprise when he suddenly with some bitterness mentioned Steve Hitchins long term political plans. He's adamant that Steve is planning to stand as a MEP at the next European elections. His wife Sarah Ludford as a Baroness has a dual mandate and under European rules will not be able to stand again.

Ming Campbell's appointment of Steve as the Diversity 'Czar' as the local newspapers have coined it hasn't helped matters either. It seems to lend credence to the opinion that some of the party movers and shakers either don't know the truth about what happened in Islington or are deliberately overlooking the matter and are now trying to promote his image as goody two shoes.

What was mentioned at the meeting took me completely by surprise. Didn't want to steal his thunder but it was an elaboration on what I've already been told by local party friends. So many of our ex councillors refused to stand again at the last election because they could no longer tolerate working with Hitchins. Hadn't realised the extent of his bullying - his insulting behavour towards and the backstabbing of his fellow councillors and other local party members until recently. He seemed to take delight in humilating the men and making women cry, completely ostracizing those he didn't like or who tried to stand up to him. A real machiavellian character and ultimate control freak

Since his departure some ex-councillors have been most vocal in the newpapers and have been explaining their reasons to local residents. Others have just been singing loudly, so pleased to be able to express themselves freely at long last. Sadly some have resigned from the party and worse still, joined the Labour party in a protest move.

The old adage that power begets power is a classic example of Steve Hitchins behaviour towards the end. He thought he was invincible. Somebody said you shouldn't put the boot in when a man's down but I've really had to laugh. Have been told several times, the women got the ulimate revenge. At a social gathering of past and present councillors some of the women who lost their seats went for him no holds barred. True to form he tried to walk a way and leave the venue. One ex-councillor Dorrie really lost her rag and disgraced him down to the ground. He started to cry in the street.

They say it's not nice to see a grown man cry in public - who really cared. He now knows how it feels. Yes, I'm one of those who has lived with the hostility of Hitchins. Only god knows what I did to the man because he's never explained to me but in front of another councillor he once shouted at me in the street how he hated me and always has done. He didn't care that he reduced me to tears out of sheer embarrassment. Feel so much better about my whole experience now I know I wasn't the only one he had on his hit list.

It not ended yet. Anybody associated with the old guard has had their card marked. Not my words but definitely my thoughts, waiting to see how it will all play out.

As for making him the Diversity Czar, it's causing untold ructions amongst the BME party members. The man who has no time for ethnic minorities, or even respect for those older than himself. Wonder which buddie buddie recommended him for the post and what track record he has to qualifiy him for the assignment. This decision brings Ming's judgement into question.