MAGISTRATE Peter Turner has claimed consultations over the future of Leigh Magistrates' Court have been a "dismal charade".

And he says powerful objections from individuals and agencies have been completely ignored by the North and West Greater Manchester Magistrates Court Committee.

The Hindley Green councillor - a member of the Preserving Access to Justice Group fighting to keep the court - has slammed the MCC who, he claims, are an unelected committee of unaccountable people.

The MCC have decided to move Leigh court cases to Wigan in a cost-saving measure which Cllr Turner says was hardly any surprise to those who read the so-called consultation document produced in an attempt to give some credibility to the dismal charade we have seen over the past month or so.

"Many responses to the document from a variety of individuals and agencies opposing the closure have landed on the desk of Mr T. McNeil, the clerk to the committee, outlining relevant and articulate arguments as to why the Leigh court should be retained. "The truth of the matter is this, it mattered not a jot whether the arguments against closure were overwhelming, which they are, the people responsible for this decision are operating from a completely different agenda than doing what is best for the town and the people of Leigh.

"My view is that the people of Leigh affected by this closure, should be very angry about this. Perhaps for the first time in quite a while, a consensus of agencies have united in a common cause that affects us all.

"The Local Authority, all the political parties and their representatives, the business community, the magistrates, solicitors, voluntary organisations, as well as a variety of other interested parties, have all come together in a campaign to take this matter to the very heart of Government."

But he said without the support of the people of Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Astley, Golborne, Lowton, Hindley Green, the campaign would flounder on the same rock of apathy that other campaigns have floundered in the past.

"I urge you, the people, to refrain from sitting back and letting this closure happen by objecting to these ridiculous proposals as strongly as you possibly can."

Cllr Turner wants people to write, signing petitions or e-mail pturner@wiganmbc.gov.uk

"This campaign can gain the legitimacy of the people in their fight to retain Leigh Magistrates' Court in this town where it belongs. Please voice your opposition to this closure."

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