"The woman who stands up to feral thugs"
October 7, 2009 12:08 PM
A recent article in the Sunday Times called "The woman who stands up to feral thugs" highlighted the case of Asher Nardone, who is a constituent of mine. While it goes into a lot of detail about the terrible circumstances that Asher has had to deal with, it implies that I have done almost nothing to help her and completely fails to mention the work that I have done on her behalf in trying to help her situation; had they contacted me before going to print I would have been happy to give them the details.
After a number of complaints from people saying that I should have done more, I have written to the Times asking for them to set the record straight, as their insinuation that I did almost nothing about this case is wrong and damaging for my reputation.
The letter I sent to the Times is here:
I would just like to clarify a few points in regard to your recent article "The woman who stands up to feral thugs". Had you taken the time to speak to me before going to print I would have been able to provide you with details of the actions I have taken on behalf of Asher Nardone; as it stands your article suggests that all I have done in this case is written to Dorset's Chief Constable.
I would like to make it clear that I feel that Asher does have a hard life and support has not always been there when needed.
Your article refers in great length to 2006 but I did not become involved fully with Asher until January this year. I met with her at a surgery on 17.01.09. and have been following her case since then.
I met with Superintendent Hiles in Bournemouth to discuss her issues on 16.02.09 (this meeting took time to fix up but I was communicating with the police from before the time of the surgery.) I emailed Asher 6 action points from the meeting on 16.02.09 and sent her the same information by letter. These included a key contact point, a female police officer for Asher to report to directly. This officer also contacted me to give me an update.
Amongst a whole host of letters and E mails, I have written this year on Ms Nardone's behalf to:
• Poole Housing Partnership, most recently towards the end of June
• John McBride, Chief Executive of Poole Council (asking that she be considered for more respite and in particular the Government's pilot scheme "aiming high for children with disabilities")
• Children and Young Peoples Service at Poole Council.
• Dorset Police.
I also met with the Inspector at our local police station to personally raise outstanding issues from Asher in April 2009, and also E mailed him on 26th June. I received reassurances.
On September 7th I was very concerned to read an email from Asher cc'ed to me but actually sent to Cllr Tony Woodcock, the Tory portfolio holder for Children, Schools and Families for Poole Borough Council. I gained Asher's permission to send this to the Director of Children's Services and did so on 8th September; I am still awaiting a reply.
I feel strongly that Poole Council does not understand the need to give leadership on children's issues across all the different services including housing and the police. I have contacted the Chief Executive to this effect.
I have a full file of all these contacts and more.
I have received complaints from across the country criticising me for doing nothing more than write to the Chief Constable - your article has damaged my reputation and I therefore ask that you print a full clarification containing the details above.
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