SPORT AND LEISURE ANNOUNCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS TORY HYPOCRISY - GIDLEY

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 29th Jul 2008

Following the announcement that private operators will be invited to bid to run council sport and leisure services in Southampton in one of the biggest deals of its kind in the country, Basset and Swaythling MP, Sandra Gidley said:

"The hypocrisy of the Conservatives on the city council unbelievable.

"Over the last year I have heard Conservative councillors express concerns about the future of leisure services should Labour or the Lib Dems run the city council.

"I have heard Councillor John Hannides say at first hand that services could be sold off under opposition administration. There was no factual basis for his allegations but it is hypocrisy of the highest order to keep quiet about Conservative plans to privatise these leisure services.

"Perhaps the Tories will come clean about other plans that they will springing on the people of Southampton and explain why they should be believed from now on?"

ENDS