IN FULL: Warren Bradley's resignation email
Liverpool Liberal Democrat leader Warren Bradley has today sensationally resigned after he found himself at the centre of a possible election fraud probe.
Here is his resignation email in full:
From: Warren Bradley
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:51:54
Subject: Media Reports
Dear All,
I write to you firstly to outline the media headlines today and secondly to let you know of my plans.
I have today been accused by the media of putting my sons name forward to stand for election, without his knowledge, and then to underline my intention I spoke to the press as if to reaffirm the fraud.
I cannot say too much at this stage for obvious reasons, but to inform you I totally deny this allegation and am seeking legal advice to that end.
Secondly, although I fully intended to stand down this May to pursue my fire service career, I will be with immediate effect standing down as the Leader of the City Council Liberal Democrat Group (hooray I hear from some); lots of things have happened during my 6 year tenure, mostly positive with lots of support from the majority of members, but sadly there have been people who have continuously undermined me in the position, something which has been extremely illiberal, something I am not used to, and something I understand that has driven them to help with what they have today, sadly involving my son.
In conclusion, peoples private lives should remain just that, unfortunately some senior members in our Group do not feel the same. Can I give a gentle prod to whoever succeeds me in the position to ensure they have the total support of the majority of the Group, without that, life will also become as miserable for you.
Sincere apologies if this issue causes you more electoral problems (I think the national party have already done that - but I am now the scapegoat!), it is the last thing that I would want. Electioneering was never about me, but the Lib Dems in Liverpool, it is such a pity the same cannot be said for some.
I will still be around pounding the pavements as a true liberal, standing up for ordinary people.
I will also be collecting subs, leaflet bills and other outstanding amounts because life goes on. so if you owe, get paying!
Let us start afresh as a united team, (stop leaking information that makes it more difficult for us) to crush those who are the real enemy - our political opponents.
Thanks again for the opportunity.
Regards
Warren
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David Bartlett
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Mute embarrassment is the only fitting response to this. Dear, dear me!
Dirty tricks? I have no idea, but the timing is suspicious. If so, shooting the messenger won't win back a single Lib Dem vote.
Bizarre. How on earth does he account for the statements made by his son?
And what does "people who have continuously undermined me in the position, something which has been extremely illiberal, something I am not used to, and something I understand that has driven them to help with what they have today" mean?
Bradley has always had problems with English, one of the reasons why I've found his success in politics so mystifying, but this is truly incomprehensible.
The background to this is a personal disaster for Bradley on many levels. As I understand matters, the 'senior Lib Dems' whom he claims have undermined him include his original mentor, Lord Mike Storey. Richard Kemp is a long-time adversary and can be ignored. It's Storey's involvement that has changed the game. Storey remains close to the Bradley family, and is sympathetic to the wife faced with Bradley's desertion a year back. Neither Storey, the wife, nor his parents, nor apparently his son Daniel, have forgiven him for walking out for the hate-monger, Sharon Green. Beneath the politics lies a nest of unrelenting domestic bitterness. Quite why the Lib Dems re-elected Bradley last year is beyond rational explanation. If they now choose Richard Kemp, that will be too.
@katie54 His son only said he didn't put himself forward, he didn't say that his dad did, it was the press that made that assumption.
Still many people in Liverpool will breath a sigh of relief.
Perhaps now he might like to pursue the shenanigans in the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service before it goes into liquidation. He might also need to consider his own job if he undergoes the same type of investigation as Firefighter Kevin Hughes. It never rains, but it pours.
This is a real shame for warren, I know personally how well he has attempted to get stuck in to the areas of the city that need sorting out, such a position is undoubtedly not easy, i am sure that this will all blow over to be just an election spin with the competition. i believe it will be a real loss to the city regardless of what party we need proper scousers fighting for us trying to sort the citys problems out and not outsiders.
all the best for the future....
@gavin. I meant the statements about not being political, wanting to join the RAF and trying to withdraw his nomination.
And so, after running out of excuses and people to blame, you have quit. As defiant as ever, you still refuse to take responsibility or admit any mistakes. When things went wrong at the council, you blamed officers. When the party lost seats, you blamed fellow members for not working hard enough. When it looked like a whitewash this year, you blamed the Coalition. But now you have no-one to blame but yourself. It's time to grow up Warren. Take a long break and look at what has happened since 2005. You lost your party control of the council. You lost your mentor. And most importantly of all, you've lost your family. That is not anyone conspiring against you. It is a direct result of circumstances you controlled. When you needed advice you turned to the wrong people. Berni Turner. Keith Turner (Jesus wept). Paul Twigger. Marilyn Fielding. All that experience and know how in the party and your closest confidantes were people with the combined political nouse of a sparrow. The time out will be good for you. Take a step back. Reflect. And most of all learn that a little bit of humility goes a long way and is not a sign of weakness.
New Viz comic character - Warren Brady, So Shady!
Warren: From someone who has seen you disintegrate, please read the open letter above and try and understand it. You're a decent bloke at the core, but you live in a world of paranoia when you've been the author of your own downfall - and its a book you started writing months ago.
I know many of those who you still trust are concerned for your mental health. That's not surprising given the pressure you've been under. Get out of the spotlight, and take a long break away from things. If you step back from public life, then a lot of this will go away. The pressure will ease, and your life will become private again. Its then that you can really work through it all.
Labour's now planning to snoo all over Church ward - following a nod from Paula Keaveney & other Lib Dems. You see, it's Get Kemp time