East London News: There were not just one but in fact two protest lobbies outside the Town Hall before the meeting of Tower Hamlets Cabinet on 4th April.
In Tower Hamlets, we are used to politicians rushing forwards into the news limelight – even more so if they are attending a public protest. Thus when your editor spotted former Labour Council candidate Chrissy Townsend on one of the lobbies, she was quick to whip out her phone to take a photo of this local activist getting stuck into the protest. Your editor was then appr
oached by Ms Townsend’s grandson, who made it clear in no uncertain terms that Ms Townsend had not given her permission for a photograph of herself to be taken.
East London News would not want to print a photograph of a local activist attending a public protest if he or she did not want a photograph taken. Although your editor did explain this to Ms Townsend’s grandson, we are not sure whether he appreciated our sincerity, as he was busy announcing that he had kindly decided to take a photograph of your editor and informing her that it would be posted on Facebook. Your editor was unprepared for such sudden fame and hadn’t even combed her hair, but she did her best to look happy and inquisitive despite the chill wind around the Town Hall.
We do want readers to take us at our word. Accordingly, we attach a photograph of the lobby from which Ms Townsend and her grandson have been removed.