JamesOwing to the seriousness of this alleged incident I am breaking my own self-imposed ban to post a few comments. I don't intend to enter into a discussion about what may or may not have happened because until all the facts are known we can all only speculate.Firstly let me say that if this was genuinely an attack on Ms. Sampson then I and all my ICG colleagues completely, unreservedly condemn it and would join you in your hope that the perpetrators will be brought swiftly to justice. This kind of thing has no place in local politics, and we will not tolerate it in Isleworth. Ms. Sampson is the mother of three children, and as a father myself I would have nothing but absolute contempt for anybody who was prepared to engage in such an act.I have highlighted the above and would respectfully implore those making further posts on this thread to remind themselves of it when this posting is responded to with the inevitable criticism.However, I would simply urge posters to consider all possibilities. Any political opponent who indulged in an attack of this kind would not only be a maniac, but also a fool. The timing was precisely such that it is likely to make headline news in the election-day Chronicle, too close to the deadline for anybody else to be interviewed for a comment. Such publicity must inevitably have the effect of casting suspicion upon Ms. Sampson's opponents.Tonight it was even featured in the London Evening Standard, in a piece which all but accused me of having perpetrated the act and about which I will be seeking legal advice as soon as the election is over.I understand that Ann Keen MP was on hand at very short notice to visit Ms. Sampson shortly after the incident when she was being visited by reporters and, whilst I'm sure this was unintentional, this would have had the effect of raising its profile and newsworthiness.And yet, quite apart from the indefensibility of the alleged act itself, there could be no possible political advantage to be gained from it. The ICG in Isleworth has been streets ahead of Labour throughout the campaign, and neither the Conservatives nor the Liberal Democrats are targeting it. Although nobody is saying it, I detect from most of the comments on this thread a latent suspicion that the ICG was in some way responsible. It most certainly was not.As one of Ms. Sampson's main opponents in the election I was expecting the police to want to interview me this morning, but as nobody came calling I went to see them. I expressed my view in no uncertain times that whatever actually happened a serious crime has been committed and I would expect them to pursue their investigations to a successful conclusion. I will be reminding them of this at regular intervals over the coming days and weeks.It is fortunate that the firebomb would appear to have exploded harmlessly by some wheelie bins rather than having been thrown through a window. I am also pleased that, although she was understandably shaken by the incident, Ms. Sampson had recovered sufficiently to hold a party with several of her political associates in her front garden this evening. In conclusion, if through my words I sound unsympathetic I am sorry. Whatever some people may think, or profess to think, I am not a wicked or vindictive person and I sincerely desire for political debate in my community to be conducted honestly, openly, decently and amicably. Anybody who throws a petrol bomb at the home of a political opponent is in my view scum and should locked away for a very long time.However, as one who has already for several weeks been one of the victims of by far the most nasty and dishonest election campaign that I have ever had the misfortune to encounter, I am not going to simply accept this story at face value without considering the possibility that there may be other explanations. At the same time I am not discounting the possibility that this may indeed have been a political attack, or even a non-political attack. All I am saying is that until the police investigation is concluded one needs to retain an open mind.I apologise in advance to anybody whom that may offend, but it is my sincerely held view and I am sticking by it.
Phil Andrews ● 7019d