A rebel Labour politician has been thrown off all council committees and threatened with further punishment after speaking out against Merton's policy on free schools.

It is understood Councillor Peter Walker, of Figge's Marsh ward, has been suspended from the Children and Young People's scrutiny panel and other sub committees by the leader of the council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis.

The Wimbledon Guardian has been informed he was removed as punishment for speaking to the press about his opposition to Harris Academy Merton's proposal to open a free school in Wimbledon, which runs counter to official Merton Labour policy.

Asked to comment on the information, which came from an anonymous source, Coun Alambritis, said: "Labour councillors will be very disappointed to hear that Councillor Walker has initiated contact with the media about disciplinary action that is strictly private."

Coun Walker declined to comment.

The issue of free schools is something which is known to divide Labour councillors.

Back in 2012 Councillor Andrew Judge told this newspaper he was against free schools which take money away from the local authority and "didn't see anything Labour about them."

It is not the first time Coun Walker has been disciplined by his party.

He was sacked from the cabinet by Coun Alambritis in April 2012 for being filmed ripping down a poster promoting a campaign group opposed to expansion of Dundonald primary school in Wimbledon.

The council's standard board later ruled he had not breached the Code of Conduct.

Shas Sheehan, Wimbledon's Liberal Democrat parliamentary campaigner, said: "We have known for some time that decision-making on schools lacked direction, so news that there is political infighting and disarray amongst the Labour leadership comes as no surprise. 


"Sadly it is local families who have had to put up with the resulting stress and worry about lack of school places."

Plan for two new free schools in Merton divides Labour party 

Councillor James Holmes, Merton Conservatives education spokesman, said: “This is an internal matter for the Labour group. 

"However, the removal of Peter Walker from key committees illustrates Labour divisions over free schools and  academies in Merton.

“We have consistently campaigned for new academies and free schools to provide much needed school places and offer our children the best possible future, but Labour has consistently failed to do this."