The views of Lichfield’s MP on a former Conservative councillor have been criticised by the leader of the Labour group at Lichfield District Council.

Michael Fabricant called Cllr Alastair Little a “professional quitter” after he had branded the Tory MP a “fawning backbench embarrassment”.

It came following Cllr Little’s decision to quit the Conservatives in the wake of reports of parties at Downing Street during the pandemic.

But Cllr Steve Norman, leader of the opposition Labour group at the district council, said Mr Fabricant’s comments on the now independent councillor were wide of the mark.

Cllr Steve Norman
Cllr Steve Norman

“I do not recognise Alastair as someone who has a ‘lack of ability’. 

“It’s ironic, as this is from a Member of Parliament who has been overlooked for any important job in his 30 years in the House of Commons. 

“Cllr Alastair Little is not a ‘professional quitter’ as the MP describes him, as I am only aware of him standing down as the former chair of scrutiny some time ago.

“I don’t recognise either the person that Mr Fabricant dismisses so readily.”

Cllr Steve Norman, Lichfield District Council

Mr Fabricant also said that Cllr Little “does not represent a ward in the Lichfield Parliamentary constituency”.

But Cllr Norman said Mr Fabricant was incorrect in his comments.

Michael Fabricant MP
Michael Fabricant MP

“What is even worse is that Mr Fabricant does not seem to realise that Hammerwich – the village and the Triangle ward – where the vast majority of electors in Cllr Little’s ward live is indeed in his constituency. Just Wall Parish is in the neighbouring Tamworth constituency. 

“It is also strange that he is not defending Cllr Loughborough-Rudd who had the whip withdrawn before the result of any investigation.” 

Cllr Steve Norman, Lichfield District Council
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John Allen
2 years ago

If only Mr Fabricant was a professional quitter, then many of us would feel a lot happier.

Fig Syrup
2 years ago

OMG! Does Michael Fabricant not even realise the boundaries of his own constituency?!?

Seriously, what does that tell you?!

Clare Sholl
2 years ago

Thank you, Cllr Steve Norman, for speaking out on behalf of Cllr Little. Standards and honesty in politics are a cross-party concern and something all of us who believe in democracy should share an interest in. Michael Fabricant is, indeed, an embarrassment to his constituency.