UK - Julian Lewis MP Press Release

Dr JULIAN LEWIS MP (NEW FOREST EAST)
Shadow Defence Minister

HOUSE OF COMMONS
LONDON SW1A OAA
PRESS INFORMATION
Friday, 17 July 2009

NO ACTION FROM OMBUDSMAN BEFORE JUDICIAL REVIEW ON FLUORIDE

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has decided not to mount an investigation into the way the Strategic Health Authority (SHA) conducted its inquiry into fluoridating the water supply in Southampton and elsewhere locally pending the outcome of legal proceedings for judicial review.
The Ombudsman was responding to a formal complaint jointly submitted by New Forest East MP Julian Lewis and Totton County Councillor David Harrison. The text of the letter to Dr Lewis from the Ombudsman's Director of Customer Service and Assessment, James Johnstone, follows. Mr Johnstone wrote: "If the judicial review does take place in due course, it may be that your concerns will be resolved. If, however, once the proceedings have ended, you do have remaining concerns, not dealt with in the proceedings, you may complain again to the Ombudsman and we will assess your complaint."
Commenting later Dr Lewis said: "Of the two methods of tackling this problem, the judicial review is undoubtedly more important. It would be valuable if the Ombudsman eventually condemns the flawed and biased consultation staged by the SHA. However, the intervention of the Court, if successful, would be a far bigger setback for the pro-fluoride fanatics."
Cllr Harrison added: "It must be increasingly obvious to the SHA that it cannot proceed without public consent. Even if the legal challenge fails, it will still have to overcome a ruling by the Ombudsman."

ENDS
Contact: COLIN SMITH on 023-8081 4817
Parliamentary Assistant to Julian Lewis MP