Lib Dems pimp row
The Lib Dems have been branded the “pro- pimp” party by feminist protesters because of their policies on sex workers.
Demonstrators at the par t y ’ s conference in Brighton held banners proclaiming “Lib Dems for pornographers”.
They have vowed to decriminal ise the sale and purchase of sex.
Fami l ies of residents at Barchester’s Alexandra Court in Glasgow’s Carntyne have been told the facility is to close.
It comes just months after it emerged that the home’s parent company Barchester – owned by Celtic major ity shareholder Dermot Desmond and associates JP McManus and John Magnier – are for sale at a price of £2.5billion.
It is not known if the closure of the home is linked to the sale.
The family of resident Christina MacDonald, 89, have been told it will be shut by Christmas.
Christina’s daughter Janice Fisher, 62, who has paid more than £26,000 in fees, said: “I was shocked. We were told it needed a lot of repair work but the owners didn’t seem to want to do that. I don’t understand it.”
Great-gran Christina has been at Alexandra Court for almost two years. Her late husband Allan, who died in November aged 90, was also a resident there.
Janice and her daughter Alison, 32, have started a petition in a bid to keep the home open to its 53 residents. It has 1000 signatures.
Retired travel agent Janice added: “The facility isn’t fivestar but the staff are lovely and I’ve known them for years.
“They all knew my dad and now my mum. She has dementia and thinks she works there. A move to a new home will be distressing for her and for the other residents.” Barchester own more than 200 care homes with about 11,000 elderly residents and an estimated 17,000 staff.
Latest accounts f iled with Companies House show that Barchester’s turnover increased 5.3 per cent to £ 563.9million in 2016, with operating prof it coming in 5.6 per cent higher at £163.3million. Pre- tax profits rose by 23 per cent to £3.7million.
Labour MP Paul Sweeney said: “We have to examine why the faci l ity is closing and I am writing to the owners seeking urgent clarification.”
Glasgow City Council offer part- funding for some of the residents at the home.
A spokeswoman confirmed that funding will continue.
She added: “The council will also ensure that our service users and their families are involved in discussions about relocation.”
A Barchester spokeswoman confirmed the proposed closure.
She added: “We wi l l work closely with our residents, family members and colleagues in the local authority and the Care Inspectorate to ensure that appropriate assessments of care needs are taken for relocation to alternative residential homes when this is appropriate.”