Former MP takes court case over fly-tipping to the United Nations
Lib Dem politician John Hemming has taken a case over dumped garden waste to Geneva in an attempt to force Birmingham City Council to clear the rubbish
A former MP has taken a case about fly-tipping to the United Nations after losing in the English courts.
John Hemming, who was MP for Birmingham Yardley from 2005 to 2015, asked Birmingham City Council to clear up dumped garden waste in 2014 after getting complaints from constituents about the mess.
But after being ruled against in a Magistrates' court, the High Court and the Court of Appeal, the Lib Dem politician has taken his case to Geneva.
Mr Hemming believes that local authorities have a statutory duty to keep the streets clean and to date has spent around £30,000 fighting his case.
Complaints from his Birmingham constituents began after the council ended free green waste collection, introducing a £35 annual charge.
Some locals refused to pay the charge, continuing to leave the bags out for collection or fly-tipping, leading to the waste pile-up.
Member's of a UN committee will discuss Mr Hemming's concerns on Tuesday.