MP offers to reveal Eastbourne Pier tattoo in PMQs

A politician campaigning to protect Eastbourne Pier has offered to show off his tattoo of it in the House of Commons.

Lib Dem MP Josh Babarinde suggested displaying his body ink of the East Sussex landmark to Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy during PMQs on Wednesday.

Babarinde wants to safeguard the Grade II* listed structure for future generations after a company linked to its owner was put into compulsory liquidation.

Describing himself as "Eastbourne, born and bred", he said the pier was "an iconic part of our heritage, our local economy and me - I literally have it tattooed and can show the deputy PM afterwards".

Babarinde added: "On a serious note though, the residents of Eastbourne have become concerned for the pier's future, while the maintenance costs for other piers across the country have risen sky-high.

"So will the deputy prime minister back my Protect Our Pier campaign and meet with me to discuss emergency safeguarding measures?"

The MP recently launched a petition calling on the government to work with communities, stakeholders and heritage organisations to explore what support could be made available to historical pleasure piers, just like the one in his home town.

Eastbourne Borough Council said it was monitoring the situation at the "much loved" seaside attraction closely.

"Our priority is for the Official Receiver to try and secure an outcome that ensures it remains open for residents, visitors and businesses," it earlier told the BBC.

Businessman Sheikh Abid Gulzar bought the pier - which is more than 150 years old - in 2015 after it was badly damaged by fire.

He is the sole director of Lions Pier Limited, which Companies House records show is in liquidation.

Gulzar, 80, is set to go on trial in November after pleading not guilty to 10 counts of fraud, totalling £150,000, relating to water bills at hotels he owns in East Sussex.

He has been approached for comment.

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