3rd February 2026
Concerns have been raised about the treatment of local campaigner Mike Parnell, who was arrested while attempting to raise a question at a council meeting despite suffering from serious illness. Mr Parnell was later cleared of wrongdoing after his death, prompting renewed discussion about public accountability and the treatment of vulnerable individuals within the justice system.
Mr Parnell, a familiar face at local council meetings and a passionate advocate for the rights of his young, adopted daughters, attended a full council meeting at Fred Perry House in Stockport on 8 November 2012. According to an email he sent following the incident, he had hoped to ask councillors a question he described as fundamental: “the right to have any life protected, what will be done?”
In the same correspondence, Mr Parnell described being arrested during the meeting under a public order allegation and taken into custody. He stated he was later released on conditional bail, which prevented him from returning to Fred Perry House and required him to attend a court hearing scheduled for 22 November 2012.
At the time of his arrest, Mr Parnell was preparing to begin cancer treatment at The Christie hospital. In his email, he expressed uncertainty about whether he would even be physically able to attend the court hearing due to the seriousness of his condition.
Friends and supporters have since questioned whether sufficient consideration was given to Mr Parnell’s health when legal proceedings were pursued. They say the case placed additional strain on a man who was already facing life-threatening illness.
Following Mr Parnell’s death, it was later established that he had committed no offence, a development which has deepened concern among those who knew him. Supporters argue that his case highlights the importance of safeguarding democratic participation and ensuring that vulnerable individuals are treated with compassion and proportionality.
Those who attended meetings alongside Mr Parnell remember him as honest, gentle, principled, determined, outspoken and driven by a strong sense of fairness.
His death, coming so soon after the events at Fred Perry House, has left lasting questions for some in the community about how residents engaging with democratic processes are treated, particularly when serious health issues are involved.
Mr Parnell is remembered by friends as a man who continued to speak out for what he believed was right, even while facing profound personal challenges.
Along with the LibDem councillors repeatedly taking this action was paedophile Cllr John Smith.
Lord Goddard, Wendy Meikle and Shan Alexander still hold public office.
Shan Alexander, Executive Councillor, was calling the police to sick, innocent Mr Parnell regularly, and was Chair of the Magistrates where he was repeatedly imprisoned for the most ludicrous of offences, such as trying to leave a council meeting before the end. She subsequently faced a prison sentence herself, but is now back as an Executive councillor.
Executive Councillor Wendy Meikle is responsible for Children’s Services at Stockport. Doubts have been raised publicly as to whether these people should still hold any public office.
By the time he sent this email, he had already been subjected to this:-
Mon 12/11/2012 17:54
Dear Sheila
Mike here, Hello how are you, hope you are well,
the liberal security democratic protecters have done it again, so that i couldn’t ask a question at the full council meeting last thursday 8th November 2012, they had the police arrest me at 14:23 hrs for a section 4A public order offence and was forcefully put on conditinonal bail ( not to go to fred perry house ) being released the next day at 00:03 hrs 9th November 2012, and conditioned to attend court on the 22nd November 2012, as i have informed you my treatment at christies starts on the 14th November so as yet i dont know if i will be able to attend the trial hearing,
the question i wished to ask in the council meeting was,
” the right to have any life protected, what will be done ? “.
