CHRIS WILLIAMSON

Derby City Council leader Chris Williamson has admitted having previous convictions. He was bound over to keep the peace and fined £100 during his days as a hunt saboteur. It followed an interview broadcast on BBC Radio Derby in which Mr Williamson, then secretary of the East Midlands branch of the Hunt Saboteurs Association, said members would disrupt the first day of the grouse shooting season.

Mr Williamson denied the charge, saying that he was speaking on behalf of the association's members, and not on his own behalf. He said, "I have no skeletons in that sense, and I do feel I was dealt with unjustly. All I did was go on the radio and outline what the hunt saboteurs were planning to do, to stop grouse being shot. I'm quite happy for people to know about that. I think voters have a right to know." Mr Williamson also picked up a £60 fine and three penalty points for speeding about 10 years ago. (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph, Dec/06)

Chris Williamson has pledged to make changes to his 3.2-litre Mercedes E-Class diesel by converting it to run on vegetable oil. As well as working out cheaper to buy, the fuel produces much lower carbon emissions.

Mr Williamson said, "It's not going to cost me an arm and a leg and it would certainly be more affordable than going out and buying a new eco-friendly vehicle. I think that there is a problem in that people accept that global warming is happening but believe it's far too big a problem for them to be able to make a difference."

He added, "The fact is, if we all act then, collectively, we can make a difference. If we can all make a contribution then, in Britain at least, we could significantly reduce our emissions. This would send out a very important message and set an excellent example to the rest of the world."

At present, pure vegetable oil costs about 20p per litre less than ordinary diesel. German company Elsbett has been working for about 25 years to produce commercially viable vegetable oil-powered cars. According to its UK website, www.biomotors.co.uk, kits to convert most diesel engines vary from about £500 to £1,000, depending on the make and model of the vehicle.

Mr Williamson's car would cost between £720 and £750 to convert. At present, the pure vegetable oil is difficult to get hold of, with just one filling station in the country, set up by Elsbett in Kent. The fuel can be ordered from Elsbett but Mr Williamson is hoping it will become more freely available as the idea spreads within the next year. (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph, Dec/06)