CAMPAIGNERS have branded the council 'cowardly' for stripping a local library of its stock in the early hours of this morning.

Members of the Brent SOS campaign group were shocked to discover that Kensal Rise Library was being emptied by Brent Council staff at around 2am.

The news will come as a disappointing blow to campaigners after a victory on May 16 when staff tried to strip the library of its contents during the day. but were ordered to stop by the new council leader due to the presence of passionate local people.

Brent SOS were under the impression that Cllr Muhammed Butt was going to talk with them in more detail about their plans to run the facility as a community library.

The group also needed to continue negotiations with the owners of the property, All Souls College.

Campaigner Margaret Bailey said: "About 15 workers took the books from the library and also took the murals painted in the 1930's specifically for the library along with all the plaques commemorating the library's opening by Mark Twain. They took tables and chairs and other assorted objects including a microwave and a box of sticky tape. They were assisted in this action by about 12 police officers. 

"This action this morning is proof that the council had no intention of trying to ensure that the reverter on the library had not been triggered. We may be finished with Brent Council but our campaign continues. We will not let their cowardly, middle of the night plundering defeat us."

A Brent Council spokesman said: "On the advice of the police, the council removed its property from the building in the early hours of the morning. We will now hand the keys back to All Souls College. The books and other materials will be sorted and distributed amongst the council's six libraries for the use of all Brent residents. 

"The council has committed to contacting All Souls College on behalf of the Friends of Kensal Rise Library to enable discussion between the two parties."

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