Vernon Coaker was talking about looking at the guidance of the RIPA. It is highly likely that powers for more serious crimes (like benefit fraud) will remain; that, at least, is what I have taken from Mr Coaker's comments.

Coun Collins reference to Cllr Hudson and Stalin was regarding the apparent unilateral decision by Ken Hudson to make changes within the council without reference to anybody. Past decisions by the Tory leader have helped undermine democracy within Preston City Council, which is what Coun Collins was referring to.

Finally, Coun Gallgher might want to consider that if he believes the Leader of the council is a 'nutty leader' and is 'taking liberties', then where does that put all the councillors (such as himself) that elected Ken as leader of the council in the first place?

Couple of issues on this.

As far as I understand it the RIPA laws are a set of guidelines which oversee the use of convert surveillance. Convert surveillance is used by many bodies other councillors – including LEP journalists. Whether covertly observing people who might be doing something wrong is neither a good think or bad thing depends on the reasons for the observation. That is usually a political judgement. A blanket ban is just as bad as a blank cheque. That was the major weakness of Councillors Jewells originally resolution. It actually proposed to stop surveillance when it might be useful – getting evidence to stop people ruining the quality of the life of neighbours through noise pollution – and it permitted things which many of us find unacceptable – anti terrorism activity.

The answer is to have democratic control and accountability over the powers. Let the leader of the Council decide when powers are used. Let’s have regularly reports to the relevant portfolio holder on the usage of covert surveillance. Council can have regularly debates on its usage and if necessary, prevent it happening on a case-by-case basis. I would have thought Liberals like Mark Jewell would have supported that.

Secondly, it is very rich for Danny Gallagher to criticise Ken Hudson (with some unacceptable language I might add) without first reminding everyone that Ken is only Leader of the Council because Danny and his fellow Liberals supporting him at the Council AGM on two separate occasions. Their didn’t abstain they positively voted for him against the Labour Leader. You reap what you sow Danny. If you want Ken out move a vote of no confidence at the next Council. He can be gone by Christmas.

Thirdly, it is a bit rich of the Leader of the Council – Ken Hudson – to bemoan the lose of RIPA powers. He knows that the council needs those powers to pursue benefit fraud evaders. He knows the council would be severally criticised – maybe even worse -by our External Audi

Likened to Stalin!? How has it gone unnoticed that this man IS a leprechaun. Someone should notify the natural history museum!

Do we want our local government to be an extra 'secret' police force, or do we want policing to be left to the police?

Surely it's the job of our council to provide local people with decent services - if people are breaking the law, then let the law enforcement bodies deal with it, rather than bureaucratic busybodies.

Is it me or does he look like Amos Brierley off Emmerdale Farm?

Does anybody know who played Chuck Norris in the film "A force of one"?

In answer to No. 4 - it is not a case bureaucratic busybodies to deal with crimes like housing benefit fraud. Such a statement I think is unfair on council employees and officers.

Like any law, when used sensibly the RIPA allows councils to play an important role in helping to tackle crime. I would also point out that tackling criminal activity is not simply something that can be left to the police alone. We all have a responsibility and councils can play an important role.

Ken Hudson is only in power because of the support Danny Gallagher and his lib dem colleges give to the Tories

I demand Councillor Gallagher dissolve the informal alliance with the Tories and return democracy to our great city

The people of Preston desire socialist representation, that is why the labour party coupled with left leaning independents have more duly elected councillors than the Tories or the lib dems – but your actions in supporting the Tory leadership enable them to remain in power and deny the people of Preston the representation they chose – it is simply undemocratic and morally wrong and it must stop immediately.

DO THE RIGHT THING COUCILLOR GALLAGHER