‘Remoaner WHINGE-FEST!’ Council uses no-deal planning cash to pay for anti-Brexit rally

Local authorities throughout the country have been given a share of £56.6 million to be set aside to soften the blow if Britain crashes out of the bloc without a withdrawal agreement in place on March 29. But Communities Minister James Brokenshire is angry after receiving reports Winchester Council diverted some of the money for a rally attended by Remainers including Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable and Lord Andrew Adonis which one Tory critic described as a “Remoaner’s whinge-fest”. The money also went towards the cost of security guards and stewards for the demonstration, which the authority allowed to be started at the city’s Guildhall last weekend, according to The Sun on Sunday.

Mr Brokenshire is said to have written to the authority’s chief executive Laura Taylor to ask for an explanation.

In his letter, he warned using civil premises for party political activity could potentially breach the council’s code of conduct.

An estimated 2,000 people marched through the Hampshire city last weekend before listening to a speech by Sir Vince.

Fellow Remainers Lord Adonis and Baroness Kramer also spoke, taking the opportunity to call for a second referendum.

Winchester Council received £17,000 from the Brexit preparation fund alongside a list of preparations for March 29.

But Mr Brokenshire’s letter emphasised his “strong expectation” that the money was should not be spent on the rally.

He has also called on Ms Taylor to clarity the precise nature of the event.

A Tory source said: “It is as breath-taking as it is shocking that this council should use hard-working taxpayers’ money to help stage a Lib Dem Remoaners’ whinge-fest when the money should be used to prepare for Brexit.

“Council pen-pushers should calculate the cost of this and present the Lib Dems with a bill immediately, so taxpayers can get their cash back pronto.”

Ms Taylor said: “The Guildhall is a public building and its steps have been used as a place of protest and rally for decades by a wide-range of political parties and groups.

“The council decided that to stop access for this rally would be inconsistent with the historical use of the steps as a platform for free speech. 

“This approach was supported by the Conservative administration of the city council.

“No money from central government was used to fund any expense related to the rally. 

“The council believes no rules or standards were broken in allowing the speakers to use the steps.”

Express.co.uk has contacted Mr Brokenshire to ask him for further clarification about his letter. 

Winchester Council has also been contacted.

Sir Vince and Lord Adonis are committed supporters of the People’s Vote campaign.

Speaking at Chatham House in September, Lord Adonis said: “Younger voters whose future depends on it would turn out to vote in record numbers to vote against Brexit.”