HUHNE BACKS HAMPSHIRE FORCE ON PAY

12.00.00am GMT Tue 22nd Jan 2008

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne met the Hampshire delegation of the Police Federation today to show support for their pay claim blocked by the Government.

Mr Huhne attended the rally of the Police Federation at the Methodist central hall in London and afterwards met John Apter, vice-chair of Hampshire Police Federation, to be briefed on the dispute.

Mr Huhne said the key issue was a breach of faith by the Government. "You cannot deprive a key group of people of their civil rights to strike over pay, agree to an arbitration system to decide pay, and then fail to accept the result" said Mr Huhne.

"Police officers put themselves on the line day in day out for us and they deserve to be treated with respect and not shabbily as ministers have done. A promise is a promise, and should be kept."

ENDS