MP THROWS SUPPORT BEHIND RICHMOND LEGAL ADVICE SERVICE

3.46.56pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 12th Aug 2008

Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston has thrown her support behind a small local charity's struggle to find new premises.

Richmond Legal Advice Service was evicted from its base at Richmond Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) where it had operated a weekly free legal advice service.

In a letter to David Sidonio, Chief Executive of Richmond CVS, Susan Kramer MP called for Richmond CVS to reverse its decision to evict the legal advice charity.

Susan Kramer MP commented:

"Richmond Legal Advice Service is a small but absolutely vital charity, the only one of its kind within the local area."

"Many people rely upon the free legal advice the charity provides, and I am certain that this closure will cause considerable stress to those who rely the weekly hour-long advice sessions."

"I am really distressed at reports that the charity was evicted with so little notice that staff had to stand outside the premises to redirect people who had arrived for that evening's session."

"I have called upon Richmond CVS to reverse its decision, and to allow the charity to continue helping local people."