Michael Fabricant has written to Sir Anthony Holland, Chairman of The
Standards Board for England, in support of Cllr Mike Fryers who was
recently found guilty of common assault. "While I do not condone what
Mike did, he has been punished enough" says Michael Fabricant "and the
Board should take into account that he has been a hard working and
assiduous councillor on behalf of his electorate. I hope he will be
able to remain a councillor continuing to work hard for the ward in
which he lives."

In his letter to Sir Anthony, Michael wrote:-

"While I do not condone the sad incident which occurred between him and
another elderly gentleman late at night in a Lichfield public house,
Cllr Fryers has suffered and been punished enough by being stripped of
the mayoralty of Lichfield and having his name and character ridiculed
in the local and national press.

"Cllr Fryers is an assiduous councillor, hard working and charitable and
was a respected member of his ward and community as a consequence. I
believe that he should be allowed time to earn back that respect and I
am sure he has learned a valuable lesson from his recent experience.

"It should be for the local community to express their view when he next
stands for election. I hope that the Standards Board will agree that
his fine should be no impediment to his remaining a councillor and
carrying on the good works for which he had previously been known."