Council rebuts Labour claims following cabinet meeting

Following the Cabinet meeting of Harrow Council on 19 February 2026, the Labour opposition alleged that a local resident was branded a “disgrace” by the Council’s Deputy Leader after raising, through a public question, the case of a mother and baby reportedly hospitalised due to a damaged pavement in West Harrow.
An opposition press release named the questioner and described him as a “longstanding community advocate” in West Harrow (reportedly a Labour candidate for the forthcoming council elections) who was highlighting concerns about the distribution of road resurfacing funding across the borough during an exchange with the portfolio holder, David Ashton.
Leader of the Harrow Labour Group, David Perry, said: “People in Harrow deserve better and a council that takes responsibility instead of calling concerned residents a disgrace. This Tory administration appears desperate to blame anyone but themselves for their mistakes. Instead of taking responsibility for resident safety and requesting further details of the case raised by a local community advocate, Conservative councillors running the council chose to dismiss the resident for even raising the issue.”
Deputy Leader Marilyn Ashton rejected Labour’s account, disputing claims that public safety concerns were dismissed or that the resident in question was verbally abused during the meeting. The webcast of the meeting shows no exchange between Cllr Marilyn Ashton and the questioner.
Reflecting on the Cabinet meeting, Cllr Ashton said the public question carried a political tone that sought to cast doubt on the portfolio holder and his clear and honest responses to what she described as repeated and unfounded accusations.
She reiterated the administration’s position, stating: “Public safety is non-negotiable. Our highways programme is determined by need, professional assessment, and available resources. We will continue to engage with residents respectfully while also challenging claims that misrepresent the work being undertaken across the borough.”
The Council confirmed that any specific pavement incidents raised through formal channels will continue to be investigated in accordance with established procedures.