Not Exactly ‘Watergate’, Is It, Newsshopper?

Should the man in charge of tourism in Greenwich be telling the world he has to hide his wallet before visiting Woolwich?

So thunders the local newspaper on a crusade.

News Shopper is calling for the resignation of Neil McCollum after he posted the following message on social media website Twitter: “Guest Appearance in Woolwich today. Wonder if it has changed. Mental note, make sure wallet is not visible.”

Yes, another official Twitter user has made a boo-boo.

And rather than simply shrug and move on, it means his immediate resignation, if not hanging, drawing and quartering, is demanded.

Louise Camish, is 26 years old and lives in Woolwich responded to the tweet and said: "That is disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. I walk around with my change loose in my pocket and my bank card hanging out of my pocket sometimes. "

“There are always a few people wherever you go, but there is no need to single out Woolwich."… “Obviously the riots were a setback for the entire country, not just for Woolwich. We should take pride in Woolwich.”

We should..?

Should we also ignore the crime rate? Walk around with our bank cards hanging out of our pocket, like you? Count me out!

Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Nigel Fletcher, said: “I think the lesson from that is that everyone has to be very careful what they tweet, particularly if they are in a position in the council where they are promoting tourism in the borough.

“It clearly wasn’t a wise thing to say, even in jest. I hope that the person responsible has learnt a lesson from it.”

Is the Newsshopper going to leave it there?

Reader, they are not…

When News Shopper approached Neil McCollum for a response he said it was up to the council’s press office to respond.

We put in a request to the press office on Friday morning...and again on Monday morning, but again received no response.

Oh oh…

We therefore decided to approach Woolwich Riverside councillor, John Fahy.

Surely he would want to step in to defend his ward and constituents.

Sadly he said he was not in a position to comment either .

You’re just not important enough. Shame.

Woolwich Common councillor, Beverly Jones, did not answer her phone. When she returned the call, upon hearing "Hello News Shopper" she said “sorry wrong number” and hung up.

SNORK!

Finally, the office of Councillor Rajwant Sidhu, who also represents Woolwich Common, told News Shopper he was not in and that all press inquiries needed to be directed through the press office.

Awwww, never mind! You're important to your mother, after all...