A Visit to Chiswick Rugby and Good News on Hammersmith Police Station

Report back from Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith and Chiswick

Andy Slaughter MP

October 17, 2025

Last weekend I was delighted to attend Chiswick Rugby Club for the opening of their brand-new extension with new changing rooms. I was really pleased to have been invited along and to meet everyone involved in the club. With the upgrade to the pitch as well as plans for padel courts, the club is much improved and is attracting players from across London in partnership with Rugby Football Union.

The Commons returned this week after conference recess with multiple statements from the government on Monday afternoon. On Tuesday we had a short meeting of the Justice Committee so that members could attend the Westminster Hall debate on the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts. As Chair of the Justice Select Committee, I made a speech about the proposals within the Review and how these measures seek to reduce the Crown Court backlog, but must be weighed against concerns from the profession that this could curtail defendant’s right to trial by jury.

A couple of weeks ago, The Justice Committee wrote a joint letter to the Director of Public Prosecutions about concerns over the CPS decision to drop charges against two individuals for espionage offences. The Committee received a response to that letter last week giving some further clarification and we met with the DPP in a private session on 15 th October. Following this evidence session, the Justice Committee, along with the Home Affairs Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee and the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy sent a further letter to continue to push for further clarification on the decision to drop the charges.

In more Justice news, the Committee will be publishing its report on the County Court next week. This has been an ongoing piece of work by the Committee informed by visits to country courts across England and Wales, as well as many evidence sessions from those working within our justice system. The report will be published on the Justice Committee website for those interested in reading it.

Like many residents, I was concerned to hear that as part of cost saving measures by the Metropolitan Police, Hammersmith Police Station counter would close. After extensive lobbying from residents, the council, and myself, last week we received the positive news that Hammersmith counter will now remain open. The opening hours will be 10am-10pm Monday-Friday and 9am-7pm on weekends. Hammersmith and Chiswick residents also benefit from Acton Police station nearby which will also remain open. I am very pleased that the Met have listened to public concerns and decided to keep more counters open, including Hammersmith. 

Best wishes,

Andy

andy@andyslaughter.com

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