London Tory under fire for 'stunning attack' on Olympic athletes » Local Government » 24dash.com

A senior London Tory has launched a 'stunning attack' on Britain's Olympic successes, according to Labour members of the London Assembly.
 
Brian Coleman AM (pictured) has been accused of disparaging the achievements of the British team in his weekly column for the Barnet Press.

Mr Coleman wrote: "While Britain's athletes may have won more medals than usual they must remember that they are tainted with the blood of Tibetans, Falun gong practitoners, and Roman catholic priests"
 
He went on: "If you are looking for young heroes and role models, forget the highly paid athletes who leave their consciences at passport control and consider the sacrifice being made by our soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq."
 
Labour Assembly member Valerie Shawcross described the rant as an 'outrageous direct attack on Britain's athletes'.

She said: "The Mayor's support for our athletes as they return from Beijing has been totally undermined by one of his senior appointments. Mr Coleman has gone out of his way to personally attack, insult and disparage the remarkable achievements of the British team.
 
"While the rest of the country have seen how uplifting success at the Olympics can be, and have swung behind London 2012, Mr Coleman's gross insult does nothing but undermine and embarrass the city.

"We should be giving our young athletes all the resources and support possible, not rubbishing and going out of our way to put them down"
 
Brian Coleman was criticised last month when it emerged he had spent £10,000 of taxpayers' money on taxis in one year, more than every other Assembly member combined, despite having a free zone 1-6 yearly travelcard.