We Demand a Referendum Now MEP
has called for Coventry City Council Leader Ann Lucas to RESIGN – as she fails
to take control of the ongoing situation with the football club.
The Euro MPs comments come
following a statement from the Council leader where she stated she wanted to “move
on”.
Nikki said,
“In my opinion, Cllr Lucas has
given up on the football club and therefore given up on the supporters.
It’s very disappointing that Ms
Lucas feels it impossible to work beyond partisan political lines. For example,
I requested to meet with Ann yet I was told she’d only meet with Labour MEP
Michael Cashman.
Cllr Lucas had a unique chance at
resolving this dispute when she became Council leader – but nothing has
changed.
How much is the loss of the
Football club costing the City? Without the Council approving the financial assessment
into the losses to the City we will never know, but I’d argue it’s in millions.”.
Nikki was keen to stress the
importance of both the sides speaking together,
“There are two sides to this
story and I’m vehemently against the move to Northampton. I’ve held numerous
meetings with officials at Coventry City Football Club and I’ve put the case
across for the fans – the club must play within the City.
I also hope to meet
with Sandra Garlick, who is heading the Stadium Forum Committee, as I have had
questions sent to me from fans with their queries about the way forward.
We
must keep the hearts and minds of the fans, however, many are sceptical
of where they are going to be based in the coming years and this
uncertainty must come to an end.
However, the Council’s position
is still unclear as to what options they are open to considering re: The Ricoh.
I look forward to the ACL
accounts being published later this year and hope that we will see no further
investment from the Council. I do not believe it would be appropriate to spend any more tax
payers money when we have heard from various sources involved that ACL is
making money and the Ricoh can survive without the football club.
Naturally
I want the Ricoh to be successful, it should be a jewel in the crown of
the West Midlands. However, we cannot write blank cheques when
taxpayers money is concerned. ACL should not be funded to relentlessly
pursue a business plan. "
