UK NEWS

BLEARS PLUG FOR PULPIT FRAUDSTER

Labour MP Hazel Blears

Sunday August 30,2009

By David Paul

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(6)

LABOUR MP Hazel Blears has praised a housing scheme in her constituency led by a fraudster who left a church bankrupt.

Former lay preacher Colin Marchbank-Smith, who served four years in jail, stole £154,000 from pensioners in his congregation and £29,000 from church funds.

The 44-year-old has been appointed chairman of a residents’ group in Salford, Greater Manchester, where former Communities Secretary Mrs Blears is MP.

It monitors the performance of housing association Salix Homes.

Mrs Blears posed for a photo with the conman and described the residents’ group’s work as “different and innovative”, adding: “It’s a great initiative.”

A member of defrauded Stockport Unitarian Church complained: “Having him in charge of important housing contracts, no doubt many relating to finance, is totally inappropriate.”

Salix Homes said: “We are an inclusive organisation.” Marchbank-Smith was unavailable.

IS SALIX HOMEFULL OF FRAUDSTERS?

04.09.09, 10:04pm

When a fraudster becomes the chairperson of a scruitny panel of a management organisation(salix homes), then we need to start asking ourselves whether the executive board and management are also full of fraudsters.

I heard one of the reader saying that he has paid his dues. Has he returned the money stolen from the church and from the three old ladies who lost their hard earned pension or how else does one pay for his sins?

Colin was given only 4 years imprisonment because he told the judge that he has pyscological problems and cannot remember stealing from both the church and vulnerable people. Has the prison now changed Colin and brought back his senses that he can now scruitinise a housing organisation?

Very soon we will have rehabiltated rapists, pedophiles, murderers and terrorists as members of the SENATE of SALIX HOMES, because in this rotten system everything grows.

• Posted by: soloboy • Report Comment

IN DEFENCE OF TENANT-LED SCRUTINY

02.09.09, 12:22pm

I would like to set the record straight with regard to this particular article. I am a member of the Salix Homes Customer Senate; the residents group to which the article refers. Whilst the jury may still be out with regard to the affairs of Hazel Blears MP, I feel that it should be stated that the position of Mr Colin Marchbank-Smith is not as clear-cut as this article suggests. Firstly, I must point out that the Senate is strictly a scrutiny body, and as such has no direct influence or charge over public (or otherwise) finances. The Senate exists to scrutinise the work of the ALMO (Arms Length Management Organisation) for the benefit of all of the tenants of Salix Homes. Colin works tirelessly for this particular body, for NO personal benefit or gain, as do all members of the Senate. Secondly, the media constantly inform the British public that the problem today is that criminals never truly repay their debt to society, and Colin Marchbank-Smith has done this, and continues to do this, not simply with a prison term, but also by continuing to serve wholeheartedly, a community to which he is an asset and not a liability. The position of Colin as Chair of the Senate, is testament to his knowledge and dedication. Thirdly, the social housing sector comprises a diverse cross-section of the population per se, and as such, if tenant-led scrutiny and regeneration are to be promoted, excluding those whom have broken the law in the past will result in exclusion and subsequent inequality for a significant percentage of the community.

• Posted by: JerryC • Report Comment

AGREE WITH RICHARD

31.08.09, 1:09pm

I was going to put that Richard. lol. They are a nest of thieves.

• Posted by: kaylee • Report Comment

BLEARS

31.08.09, 9:58am

What's the saying "Birds of a feather flock together"?

• Posted by: RichardMac • Report Comment

BLEARS PLUG FOR PULPIT FRAUDSTER

30.08.09, 10:21pm

Well lets face it New Labour are ALL Fraudsters when you realise just what they have been salting away from the Taxpayer by having their snouts in the trough.

AND ANOTHGER THING ! Just look at twice resigned Mandelson. New Labour Policy is to Reward Theft, Failure and Downright Lying dont they.

• Posted by: EmperorMing • Report Comment

PRAISE FROM ONE FRAUDSTER FOR ANOTHER

30.08.09, 7:33am

I wonder if anyone will pose for a photograph with Blears when she has completed her sentence (hopefully custodial) for her misappropriation of tax payers money.

• Posted by: RF • Report Comment