Haringey Liberal Democrats have questioned the council over their use of security guards surrounding a tree on Oakfield Road, at a cost of thousands of pounds to local taxpayers.

A plane tree in Stroud Green was due to be felled due to pressure from insurance companies, who claim that it is causing subsidence in nearby properties. However, local campaigners have taken the council to court, and a ruling is expected on Wednesday 15th. Ahead of that decision, Haringey Council erected scaffolding and fences around the tree on Sunday morning, and paid security guards to surround the tree.

Councillor Scott Emery (LD-Highgate), Opposition Spokesperson for the Environment, said:
“This aggressive action by Haringey’s Labour council is totally disproportionate. Residents have expressed their shock and upset at the Haringey moving in security guards in the middle of the night, and who can blame them? The Labour council should be supporting local people, not making them feel as though they have done something wrong when they are sticking up for their community.”