Mike Cox, former leader of the Liberal Democrat councillors in Hillingdon, has been selected by Ealing & Hillingdon Lib Dems to be their local candidate for the GLA elections on 3 May.

Mike was approved by Lib Dem members from both boroughs at a joint meeting in Ealing on Wednesday night.

A practicing chartered accountant, Mike has lived in both boroughs and has two children, who both attended schools in Hillingdon.

Commenting on the reports that Hillingdon Council acted ‘Unlawfully’ by detaining Steven Neary during most of 2010, Mike Cox said,

“The Council is right to apologise to Steven Neary and his father for letting them down, but it is shameful that they are saying this was ‘difficult’ and hiding behind vague comments about ‘processes’.

In the last three years Hillingdon Councillors have spent £2,260,000 of tax-payers money on refurbishment of their own offices - the sixth highest council expenditure nationwide during this period - according to a recent damning report by the BBC.

Mike Cox has slammed Hillingdon Council for its continued detention of Steven Neary

Mike Cox said:

"When I first read about Steven's case I was appalled and dismayed that Hillingdon Council could act with such little decency. What makes me angry is Steven and his father Mark are still, after all these months, the victims of this outrageous disregard for their basic Human Rights and it still hasn't been put right.

Today's the day we get to find out how the deficit is going to be paid for. It's not going to be easy but I am absolutely certain - as I'm sure you are - that we cannot leave this massive debt for our children to pay off.