Ann Keen gets apology from local newspaper
Newsquest Group admits content of letters was false
Local newspaper, the Brentford, Chiswick and Isleworth Times, has published an apology to local MP Ann Keen.
Ann Keen issued a writ in the High Court over the publication of two letters saying that they were defamatory and that the newspaper did not do enough to establish the facts of the cases involved.
The first letter suggested that Ann Keen, and her husband Alan who is also an MP, had threatened local councillors with expulsion if they did not toe the line dictated by the Keens. The apology admitted that this was untrue.
The paper has also admitted that another letter which appeared in the paper last September and implied Mrs Keen had failed for three-and-a-half years to take action to help three families that had written to her asking for assistance with problems they were having in relation to the residential care of elderly relatives. The paper acknowledged that the MP had attempted to help the people concerned.
Ann Keen was re-elected for the second time at this year's election to represent the Brentford and Isleworth constituency. Her husband Alan represents Feltham and Heston which is the other constituency within the borough of Hounslow.
October 8, 2005
