Mike Penning MP: Judicial review - the fight will go on
5th July 2007
A defiant Mike Penning MP reacts to the failure of the legal challenge by Dacorum Hospital Action Group.
Commenting on the failed legal challenge Mike Penning said:
“This is extremely disappointing news I pay due credit to the hard work and dedication of Zena Bullmore, Dacorum Hospital Action Group and all who have contributed to the campaign. It has been fantastic to see the way the whole community has come together to support this cause and it makes me immensely proud to represent the people of Hemel Hempstead in Parliament. Our community is being constantly tested at the moment and time and again has come together to show its resilience.”
“Although we lost the main case, the judge accepted that the Trust was wrong to leave out the option of Hemel Hempstead’s A&E remaining open in the consultation and the injunction remains in place pending an appeal.”
Mike continued:
“In this case the judge’s hands were effectively tied. He could only judge on the process not the actual closure of our hospital.
“We urgently need to see a change in the law so that citizens of this country have the legal right to appeal decisions such as the closure of their local hospital. At the moment, we can only appeal the process and not the actual decision.
”I call on all residents of Hemel Hempstead to give generously to the Dacorum Hospital Action Group fighting fund so that they can launch an appeal.”
To give to the fund, cheques made payable to 'Dacorum Hospital Action Group' should be sent to Zena Bullmore at 42 Crouchfield, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1PA. Include your details or an SAE so that money can be returned if it is not needed.
