Meeting forced to adjourn after charity clashes with police

Feb 27 2008 By Alex Adams

A MEETING of Ealing Council was forced to adjourn for 10 minutes after a series of outbursts by users and volunteers of a leading domestic violence charity on Tuesday night.

Members of domestic violence charity Southall Black Sisters had to be escorted out of Ealing Town Hall by police as councillors agreed to pass a report which could see their funding slashed.

Police officers were asked to attend the meeting - which saw a demonstration by the charity of more than 75 people outside the Ealing Broadway hall.

The report will see a restructuring of provision for domestic violence services in order for the council to find the best value for money service it can - but could spell the end of Southall Black Sisters' annual grant.