THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE HUNDREDS OF NEW SUPPORTERS THAT HAVE RECENTLY JOINED OUR CAMPAIGN.  IT MEANS SO MUCH TO US TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE SO MANY CHEERING US ON.

RECENTLY HOWEVER WE HAVE BEEN VERY CONCERNED TO DISCOVER THAT MOST OF THE MONEY THAT YOU HAVE SO GENEROUSLY DONATED HAS UNFORTUNATELY  GONE TO CHANGE.ORG RATHER THAN TO OUR WAR CHEST.

WE ARE DESPERATE FOR NEW DONATIONS, OUR FINANCES ARE TOTALLY STRETCHED AND WE NEED TO PAY LAWYERS.  IF YOU CAN HELP US,  PLEASE DONATE TO :

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/save-victoria-tower-gardens/

AND NOW FOR THE UPDATE:

The last few months have seen a significant intensification of activity concerning a number of legal aspects relating to our case.  In particular, we are delighted that the London Parks and Gardens Trust (LPGT) will have a hearing for a Judicial Review of the Government's 'arrangements' in relation to who will be the final decision-maker following the Public Inquiry.  As many of you will know, as things now stand, the appointed Inspector will hear the arguments from all the parties and then. in reaching his own conclusions,  will make a recommendation to the minister who will be standing in for the Secretary of State ( Christopher Pincher) to either Approve or Refuse the scheme.  (Robert Jenrick has had to recuse himself, as he came out very clearly in favour of the scheme).   The problem is that the minister (who reports back directly to the Secretary of State) has the power to overturn the recommendation - so why would he not do what he knows is expected from him?

LPGT - and we with them - believes that there is a clear case of conflict of interest in the arrangement, as the Government is both the applicant and the decision-maker. 

This is made even more apparent by the Conservative Manifesto stating 'We will support the construction of the planned UK Holocaust Memorial", a clear case of pre-determination, given that the project has not yet gone through the planning process.  

If we win the Judicial Review (which will be held 9-10 September), we will instead obtain the right to have the Public Inquiry determined by an individual who is not in any way connected to the Government  - potentially the Inspector himself.

As you can imagine, it is crucial that we should give this case everything we can, as it could be a game-changer once we move on to the Public Inquiry stage (the date set for the PI is beginning of October).

At the moment however we are desperately trying to fundraise as much as we ever can, as we are relying heavily at this stage on the professional support of a highly qualified, top legal team.  We appreciate that so many of you have already helped us with previous donations.  We, the core group of Save Victoria Tower Gardens, have also contributed time and time again as the expenses have increased - but our coffers are worryingly bare.   We now need to pay lawyers, a small PR team, court expenses, and expensive expert witnesses.  

We cannot get there unless you help us. It would be amazing if you could once again support us for this last stretch of this case, and ask those you know who are with us to also donate as much as they are comfortable with.  Every small donation helps.

We thank you in advance...and beg you not to let all this effort be for nothing...we are nearly at the end, and we have all invested so much energy and passion in trying to stop this iniquity...please help us win, we deserve to!