Friday, 30 August 2013

NICHOLAS FREEMAN...NO HERO

There is a tedious English tendency not to speak ill of the dead. 
But why should the reputation of wicked people be protected simply because they have died?
The Dame brings this up as she has noticed that Mr Fizzypaddy of PR has put something up about the Freeman Suite at Hornton Street...doubtless of an adulatory nature.
NASTY PIECE OF WORK

Freeman was leader of the Royal Borough in the '80's.
For some of the less intelligent and naive councillors the years have bestowed upon Freeman an aura of saintliness: odd because the man was an odious bully with little interest in anything other than his own political ambitions. 

But, like his protege, Pooter, those were never fulfilled.....happily!

Today, Nicholas Freeman would have faced criminal charges: not just over the appalling destruction of the old Town Hall. But those who know about these things tell the Dame that Scotland Yard were on his tail for activities similar to those which caused ex Cllr Andrew Lamont to end up charged and found guilty of child pornography. 
(Incidentally, so convinced was Lamont that he would escape justice that he told those who would listen that he was going to sue the dear old Dame for what she had written about him.) 
Silly fellow!
Anyway, back to the ghastly N. Freeman.

"Nicholas Freeman had long been a controversial figure: in 
1982 he had provoked a storm of opposition amongst people of all political persuasions by using his powers as council leader, without consulting colleagues, to order the overnight destruction of Kensington's fine century-old Italianate Town Hall on Kensington High Street. The building was due to be given special Listed Status on the Monday, but at 3 a.m. on the day before the façade was smashed to pieces by demolition experts. The Royal Fine Art Commission condemned the action as "official vandalism... decided upon covertly, implemented without warning and timed deliberately to thwart known opposition".

wilkipedia


Nicholas Freeman was a disgrace to the Royal Borough.


20 comments:

  1. Good of the Dame to ventilate this.
    It was pretty common knowledge that Nick Freeman has unorthodox external interests

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. prove it or shut up

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    2. Freeman a friend of yours? The Dame is always right. Freeman liked young boys....a nasty trait he shared with some of his other Conservative colleagues. So why don't you just piss off.....

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    3. prove it or shut up

      Delete
    4. 00:22
      You're like some silly, repetitious child! Go to bed and shush

      Delete
  2. John Cox used to tell with pride his part in the demolition of the fine old Town Hall. A man with idiosyncratic views on planning.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Curious fellow, Cllr Cox. Clings to straws of power - like the photos of (minor) naval ancestors proudly displayed on the walls of his attic office at home. And the sheer joy of Chairing "consultation meetings" for the Holland Park School project, giving objectors "permission to speak" and then whispering to colleagues "of course all of this objection will not make one scarp of difference".

    A small man in love with his own importance.

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  4. The (not at the time disgraced) late Cllr Freeman was a typical local Government Tory of his time. Bright, in the closet, needing recognition, a reckless approach to dicing with personal danger, and a few scores to settle with society. What a pity that he was forced to grow up with so much repression all around him. Fortunately his ilk is dying out and we see the last of the dinosaurs retreating over the horizon (the bus driver's son, the Africa queen, the squeaker, the BVI pauper, the Boltons resident, the City grandee, all of whom enjoyed puffing themselves up on the Tory benches)

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  5. The PR Chief in Hornton Street was always an absurd figure but attempts to give recognition to the odious Freeman is totally absurd. Why does this Borough persist with stupid behaviour like inviting disgraced ex Cllr Phelps to Civic Receptions ("he was Mayor and it is the custom") and naming suites after "not disgraced at the time" Cllr N Freeman? ("he has his following and we close our eyes to his peccadilloes")

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. These Turkeys would vote for Christmas if you asked them. Historically, Town Councillors have been very average people but now they have influence over big budgets and big decisions and they need to raise their game.

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    2. If you recruit turkeys, you get turkeys!

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  6. Is Cllr Robert Freeman related to ex Cllr Nicolas Freeman? Does the Dame have information about this? Perhaps Inspector Palmer might be able to throw a little light

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No relation. R. Freeman is an outstanding councillor who has tirelessly served the council and residents.

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  7. An exceptionally interesting story on which to start a new season and fascinating responses from RBKC's "anonymous" legion of Tories.

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  8. I think this is another example of criticising somebody who cannot defend himself. I do not understand why there is a habit in this country of investigating actions or events that occurred in the distant past. I knew Nicholas Freeman and always found him to be the type of person who saw things from one viewpoint, which of course was his. You either accepted that or not. My own opinion on raking up the past is that it is after the event when in my view it is far more productive to investigate matters and wrong doings which are occurring now. The Dame has achieved great things in cleaning up RBK&C and long may this continue.

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    Replies
    1. Draycott does talk rubbish - if the Hornet had achieved anything why is the Labour group a sham.

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