Responding to completion of the Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle United, Lib Dem Sunderland City Councillor and SAFC fan Stephen O'Brien said:
"Whilst I can understand that Newcastle fans are glad to see the back of Mike Ashley, this is a dark day for English football.
"The Premier League should hang their heads in shame for rolling out the red carpet for a brutal dictatorship which persecutes women, LGBT+ people and minorities.
Wearside Liberal Democrats are celebrating a huge increase in their share of the vote as the party came second to Labour in contest for the Hetton Ward of Sunderland City Council.
The results of the by-election held today (30th September) were:
Liberal Democrat councillors in Sunderland have welcomed the announcement of trails of safe standing in Championship and Premier League clubs as a vial step towards seeing safe standing at the Stadium of Light.
Premier League and Championship clubs will be able to apply to trail safe standing in stadiums from1st January 2022.
Lib Dem councillors on Wearside have backed a campaign for an official pardon for Sunderland greengrocer and 'metric martyr' Steve Thoburn.
It comes as the Government looks set to change the law to allow traders to sell items only using imperial measurements if they so wish.
Sunderland greengrocer Steve Thoburn was convicted for selling fruit and vegetables in pounds and ounces, despite always offering products in metric measurements for any customer who wanted it.
Commenting on Sunderland Council's decision to axe charges for vermin control services for 12 months, Liberal Democrat councillor for the East End, Hendon and Grangetown Ciaran Morrissey said:
"Residents in the East End, Hendon and across the city have had to put up with a rat epidemic for years now in our parks, back lanes, gardens and even in people's homes.
