John Battle MP Reassures Evacuees In Leeds West

John Battle, Labour MP for Leeds West, said “Following conversations with the Home Secretary, and this afternoon’s police statement, I’ll be returning home to my constituency in Leeds. I’m visiting my constituents who have been evacuated overnight at Kirkstall Leisure Centre, to listen and provide reassurance.

“I would like to praise the 400 local people in my constituency who were evacuated this afternoon for cooperating with calm and sensible restraint, at what is unavoidably a difficult and unnerving time.”

“The police carried out their operation carefully and with tact. The operation seems to have gone as they planned it with minimum disruption.

“The careful analytic work of the police shows that they are well able to track down terror bombers. For them there will be no hiding place. The support of ordinary people from every community is crucial, and I am confident that the people of Britain working together across the length and breadth of the country will defeat the terrorist bombers.

“I am in regular close touch with local police and with our local community groups – including the Burley Lodge Centre, Sure Start Burley, West Leeds Family Service Unit, Churches, Mosques, the Sikh Temple, the Hindu Temple, and community representatives.

“The Council made alternative provision for those in sheltered housing locally and made Kirkstall Sports Centre available. I’m pleased that everyone is safe and I trust everyone will be able to return to their homes soon, confident that the police are giving the local community full backup and protection.

“I will be at my regular surgery in the neighbourhood at 12:30 this Saturday.”

©John Battle MP 12 July 2005