A BANNER urging residents to say no to the cuts at Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital has been removed due to the upcoming election.

The Advertiser understands Redditch Borough Council chief executive Kevin Dicks made the decision to take down the banner, which was paid for by tax payers, after receiving a formal request for removal.

Council leader Bill Hartnett (Labour) said: "I didn't want it to come down. 

"It has been there for four or five years, through the general election, council elections the police and crime commissioner election, the CCG meetings. 

"Someone has to benefit from it being removed."

Neal Stote, former chairman of the Save the Alex campaign and current member of OurNHS Worcestershire, said: "It is a big joke. One party will benefit from this going down.

"It is gagging the public."

Councillor Juliet Brunner (Conservative) denied that any Conservative councillor made a request for removal.

But Town MP Karen Lumley refused to comment.

A Redditch Borough Council spokesman said: "Particular care should be taken during the pre-election period on material that is displayed on Council owned buildings.  As such we have been asked to take down banners from our buildings and have subsequently removed the 'Save the Alex' Banner from the Town Hall."

More to follow. 

Redditch Advertiser:

The banner with the former chairman of the Save the Alex campaign Neal Stote and Council Leader Bill Hartnett outside Redditch Town Hall in August 2012.