Dee Doocey

The Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group will today put forward budget proposals which challenge the Mayor's current proposals on policing, transport, the environment and housing. The budget proposals include targeted fare cuts to help Londoners on the lowest incomes, extra policing and action to make London's roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

Dee Doocey, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly policing spokesperson and member of the Metropolitan Police Authority, commenting on the publication today of the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee report on the August riots said:

"There is much in this report that is very welcome, especially its call for extra support to be offered to businesses, both before and after public disorder incidents take place.

Dee Doocey, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Policing spokesperson and member of the MPA, today challenged the Mayor to adopt the recommendations made by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary for restrictions to be placed on the private sector jobs that senior police officers can take up after immediately leaving the police service.

Dee Doocey, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly policing spokesperson and member of the MPA, commenting on today's comments by the Met Commissioner Bernard Hogan Howe that every police car in London could be fitted with a taser said:

"To move from a relatively small number of highly-trained police officers being armed with a taser, to a situation where 6,500 police cars in London routinely carry them on everyday patrols would do irreparable damage to the reputation of our unarmed police service, which is the envy of the world."

Dee Doocey, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly policing spokesperson and member of the MPA, commenting on the revelation that the Met had authorised the potential use of plastic bullets as a 'last resort' for policing of student protests today said:

"Plastic bullets have no role in policing demonstrations in London. Their use in Northern Ireland has led to seventeen lives being lost, including eight children. How can anyone believe plastic bullets deliver security when their record is so horrific?"

Dee Doocey, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly policing spokesperson and member of the MPA commenting on the delay on the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary report into undercover policing said:

"It is almost beyond belief that an undercover Met police officer went through the criminal justice system pretending to be someone else.

Dee Doocey, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Olympic spokesperson, commenting on the Mayor's response to her questions at today's Mayor Question Time about conflicting figures about transport journeys that will take place in the capital during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games said:

"A few years ago we were told that the number of journeys in London every August drops by 20% due to such things as less people working. Now we have dire warnings from Transport for London that travel must be cut by another third if we are to avoid gridlock during the Games."

In his keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference, Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has outlined his goals for the Government and the country over the coming years. He reiterated his commitment to liberal values on the environment and human rights and his determination to ensure a fair chance for every child, saying "every child can do good things, great things, if only we give them the opportunities they deserve."

Dee Doocey, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly policing spokeswoman and member of the MPA, commenting on the publication by the Metropolitan Police Service of a detailed register of gifts and hospitality received by senior Met officers said:

"I very much welcome the new register. However there is more work to be done to achieve full transparency and I am delighted the new Commissioner sees this as a priority

Dee Doocey, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly business spokesperson, today challenged the Mayor to help prevent huge hikes in insurance bills for shops and traders following the recent riots and has called on the Mayor to be proctive and immediately start talking to insurance companies.

At Mayor Question Time, held at City Hall, Dee Doocey highlighted how steep rises in insurance bills would be disastrous for many shops and traders who are already struggling due to looting and lost business during many days in August, in addition to the tough economic climate facing the whole economy.