Councillor apologises for naming street after ex-leader who lied to child sex abuse inquiry

A top Rochdale councillor has apologised after the authority was forced to U-turn over ‘insensitive’ plans to name a street after Richard Farnell - the late former leader found to have lied to the child sex abuse inquiry. There was an outcry after locals spotted a sign for ‘Richard Farnell Avenue’ on the site of the old working men’s club in Kirkholt - the area the two-time Labour council chief represented for several years.

It was removed after Richard Scorer - the lawyer who represented victims at the national inquiry - hit out, saying the council’s ‘past failings cannot be airbrushed in that way’ if the borough is to change for the better. Bosses said the intention was to ‘recognise the contribution’ he made to ward but the decision was reversed due to the ‘sensitivity around this issue’. It is understood the process of renaming the street is now under way.

Coun Danny Meredith, portfolio holder for highways and housing, has now said sorry and taken responsibility for the mistake. He said in a statement: “Ultimately, responsibility for this rests with me as the cabinet member for highways and for that reason I would like to personally apologise for any upset that has been caused.”READ MORE: 'I just happen to live in the area': Party leader blasted over bid to have parking scheme decision overturned

Coun John Taylor, leader of the council’s Conservative group, welcomed the U-turn over what he branded an ‘insensitive blunder by the council’. “The reputation of the late councillor was tarnished during the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) and as such it was wrong to celebrate his achievements in this way,” he said.“If lessons of the past are to be learned from, we must always take a victim focused