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Camden councillor is living in Arizona
Mark Blunden11.09.08
A councillor has secretly moved 5,500 miles to Arizona - but is still representing his London constituents.
Philip Thompson, 26, went to the US to study for a PhD in American Politics last month.
But the Liberal Democrat councillor for Kentish Town has kept his position on Camden Council and is still claiming his £700 monthly allowance.
Mr Thompson moved to Tucson without telling his constituents and some political colleagues but has been backed by party and council leader Keith Moffat.
Speaking from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Mr Thompson said: "I never expected to have the opportunity to come here but it was an opportunity too difficult to pass up.
"There is no reduced service for people in Kentish Town. I have carried on with all my casework. I will not continue to do it if it is impossible."
There is no legal requirement for Mr Thompson to step down - councillors-must only attend one full council-meeting every six months.
A picture of him smiling is already on the university's website and he could be there for up to three years.
But residents are not as happy about the move. Kentish Town Traders' Association chairman Nick Mavrides said: "You need to be in the borough day in and day out - not emailing from half way across the globe. He either has to get back or get out."
Reader views (15)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
More local council corruption. When will they get their snouts out of taxpayers pockets? Think he needs to change his name to Mark Blunder! The true test will be what his party and constituents do about it. If he had nothing to hide why the secret move???
- A Johnson, York
One of my local Lib Dems, Wayne Hoban, has recently resigned after pretending for months that he hadn't moved away from the area. Another, Susan Oatway, moved to Hertfordshire two years ago. She posted an entry on her Facebook public profile saying how nice it was compared to Haringey! She gets ten grand a year to represent people in my area not hers.
Lib Dems will do anything for their boroughs. Except live there.
- Alexandra Ward, Haringey
The councillors have 3 surgeries each month - will he be coming back from Arizona to attend these surgeries or is he expecting his two fellow councillors for this ward to cover for him? I am not sure what he is claiming £700 a month for if he is not attending council meetings or surgeries. I am one of his constituents - I won't be voting for him at the next election.
- Suzy, Kentish Town, London
I wonder what to make of Westminster Tory Councillor Ian Wilder who has lived in the USA for 4+ years now.
- John, London
"There is no reduced service for people in Kentish Town"- given the fact that this fraudster is a LibDem, I wouldn't argue with that!
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
Never expected to have this opportunity? I take it he APPLIED for the course, put FUNDING in place and then got on a PLANE and went there. What is 'never expected' about that?
- Vk, kentish town
Living in Arizona he has probably got more of an idea of what goes down in London than his Nu Labour chums. They just have to be living on Mars. There is no other explanation.
- Jimbob, Kensington
He is typical of politicians. Once the snout is in the trough its nigh impossible to drag it out.
No honour, no self respect and no thought for the people he represents.
This man will go far.
- Michael, brightlingsea england
What is he doing claiming £700 per month for? He should be made to pay this money back and resign from the council. Why are the liberal demorates allowing this?
- Maggie, London
I would'nt have this guy representing anything, pure deceit.
- Tony, Toronto, Canada
Local Councillors should be available for each full Council meetings and weekly constituents' surgeries.
He should have told the people in his ward what he is doing. It is true a lot of work can be done by e-mail and video-conferencing but he should either appear in Camden within the nex few weeks, or resign his seat.
- Jim Birkett, LONDON UK
It is unacceptable for any British politicians to hold office in the UK while living in another country on long-term basis, Philip Thompson should definitely have resigned before he left Britain. In USA a PhD takes 4-6 years, how can he properly represent the people of Camden from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean? What about the weekly surgery, tones of committee papers and council meetings he is obliged to attend? He should also return the councillor allowance to the public. Councillors' allowance comes from taxpayers money, if a councillor is not doing his work, he must return the money to the public. There should be legislation to enforce these common sense matters. Camden Council and the people of Camden have the right to remove him from office with immediate effect.
- Simon Tan, London, UK
I wonder if the council leader will still be backing him when at the next elections Camden's voters quite rightly punish his party for this outrageous behaviour?
- Mark, London
There is absolutely no way that Mr Thompson can represent people in Kentish Town whilst he is living in America. What should his constituents do if they want to see him at a surgery - book on the next flight to Arizona? He should resign immediately.
- Steve Chambers, London
Of course he knows it's wrong, otherwise he would not have moved to the States with such deceit. Sleazy politicians.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
