Brentford West Councillor Guy Lambert suspension upheld until 22 January

Image: Cllr Guy Lambert

“The VAR ruled that my goals were offside and the Yellow card should remain”

Guy Lambert, the councillor for Brentford West, has had his suspension upheld by the Hounslow Labour Group, following his appeal against the decision.

The councillor, known for his outspoken views, was sanctioned after using his weekly blog to criticise council decisions on several delayed developments in Brentford. The party removed the whip from Cllr Lambert for eight weeks, and confirmed to him this week that he would remain suspended until 22 January 2025.

Cllr Lambert, who is a former Cabinet Member on Hounslow Council, recently wrote that Labour’s Chief Whip, Councillor John Stroud-Turp, had warned him about being “uncomradely.”

The warning came after Lambert publicly criticised delays to key projects in Brentford, including the redevelopment of the police station, the Watermans site and finding traders to fill the vacant shops in Brentford’s regenerated town centre.

Hounslow Labour Group took aim at Cllr Lambert’s weekly blog, where he has also shared information about internal Labour party processes regarding his suspension.

Cllr Lambert defended himself by saying he felt an obligation to be as open with his constituents as possible. He has also suggested his loyalty to seeing Brentford fixed overrode his party loyalties. In his most recent blog on Friday (13 December), Cllr Lambert said:

“To my astonishment (not really) the VAR ruled that my goals were offside and the Yellow card should remain. Well, I suppose it’s more of a red card as I am banned until January 22nd and I will not be allowed to play in the Labour team during that period…

“More seriously, my remarks here, which criticised no individual councillor or officer but simply urged for matters to be progressed more speedily for everyone’s benefit – residents, businesses, council coffers – but these were found to have breached the rules. Rules are not my strong point but I do work hard and do my very best for my ward.”

Cllr Lambert added that constituents had been showing their support for him since he announced his suspension.

“One of the pleasant things of all this has been the people who have written, rang me, or accosted me in the street saying nice things. They said I care. They are right, I do.”