Hillingdon Council launch attack on a "Children's Hero"

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd Apr 2008

In response to a 3,000 signatory petition to Save the Swallows Gym, Hillingdon Council have launched a deeply personal attack on the Gym's founder, Mike Swallow.

Instead of sitting down to discuss the future of the Hillingdon School of Gymnastics, Hillingdon Council have wasted further money by writing a letter and press release and sending it to the 3,000 petition signatories. Many of the petition signatories are young children and the content has been labelled by Cllr Mike Cox as a "mixture of misinformation, distortions and libel." Cllr Mike Cox has written a 5 page repudiation of the letter and press release and called for an instant and unreserved apology.

Cllr Mike Cox, speaking at the Annual General Meeting of South Ruislip Residents tonight (23rd April) said:

"Mike and Tania Swallow should be hailed as heroes of Hillingdon. They certainly are in the eyes of the children and gymnasts who use and visit the Swallows Gym. Hillingdon Council should be deeply ashamed of the brutal way they are treating such a group of dedicated and enthusiastic people. It is truly sickening that the Council would rather spend time and money trying to insult someone who has dedicated his life to the sport and to the local community."

Earlier in the day John McDonnell MP for Hayes and Harlington gave Mike Swallow his full support.