Lib Dems Request Enquiry over UEFA Decisions

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 16th May 2008

Manchester Liberal Democrats Have Called for a Full Enquiry into Events During the City's Hosting of the UEFA Cup Final

Manchester Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Simon Ashley has written to Manchester Chief Executive Sir Howard Bernstein asking for a full enquiry into events on Wednesday night. Manchester hosted the UEFA cup final, but the event was marred when trouble broke out between Rangers fans and police.

Cllr Ashley has asked for a report to be considered by the Council's Executive Committee. He said:

"I am asking four key questions:

1) Why weren't other sites used in or near the city, such as United's ground at Old Trafford?

2) Did the late decision about having Big Screens, and the number and siting of them, contribute to problems with the management of the crowds?

3) Who made the decision to allow the consumption of alcohol on the streets in the City Centre? Was there any reasonable alternative, and did this add to the problems in managing the crowds in the City Centre?

4) How much was spent on the policing and clean up operations?"

Cllr Ashley continued:

"There can be no justification for Rangers fans trashing our city. But what we need to know is whether any of the Council's decisions made things worse. We need an open and honest analysis of the costs and benefits of this event to see what lessons can be learnt for the future. The people of Manchester expect nothing less."

Ends.