MP Bob backs Bobby Lobby of Parliament

12.00.00am GMT Fri 29th Feb 2008

Colchester MP Bob Russell will today (Wednesday) be supporting thousands of Police Officers from around the country - including many from Essex - who will be lobbying Parliament in protest at the Government's refusal to honour in full the pay award which an independent pay review body had said they should receive.

Mr Russell's support for the Police has already been registered through direct criticism to the Home Secretary Jackie Smith when she appeared before the Home Affairs Select Committee, of which Mr Russell is a member, and for signing four separate House of Commons Motions which call on the Government to pay the award in full.

The town's Liberal Democrat MP caused the Home Secretary even more embarrassment on Monday last week when, during Home Office Questions, he set the scene for a 10-minute barrage of criticism from both sides of the Chamber. Mr Russell had been fortunate to have a Question on the Order Paper which he used to draw attention to the Government's refusal to honour the Police pay award.