WE would question whether this meeting is political. The words of Honiton town councillor Vernon Whitlock, who chaired a public meeting in the town last Friday to discuss changes to maternity services at Honiton Community Hospital.
WE would question whether this meeting is political." The words of Honiton town councillor Vernon Whitlock, who chaired a public meeting in the town last Friday to discuss changes to maternity services at Honiton Community Hospital.
NHS Devon pulled out of the meeting, organised by Honiton Town Council, saying it could be deemed political and that the authority had to follow strict guidelines during the run-up to a general election.
Mr Whitlock is also the Labour Party's prospective parliamentary candidate for the Tiverton and Honiton Constituency.
He told the meeting: "Three of the four prospective parliamentary candidates for the constituency are here. All four are saying it (the maternity service) is not a political issue."
Neil Parish (Conservative) and Dr Jon Underwood (Liberal Democrat) were in the audience.
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