KINGSTON MAGISTRATES COURT REPRIEVED

4.12.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th Apr 2003

Dr Jenny Tonge, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, has spoken of her relief and pleasure at the decision by the Greater London Magistrates Court Association not to proceed with the closure of Kingston Magistrates Court Dr Tonge said: "I am so glad the Greater London Magistrates Court Association has at last recognised the strength of local feeling on this issue. "

"I have always argued that local justice must be exactly that – local. "Richmond and Kingston may be neighbours but they have different populations. I know it's a cliché to say "a triumph for common sense," but that's exactly what this is."