Storm over Josephine Butler House row emails

Apr 15 2008

A WAR of words has broken out between a millionaire property magnate and a tour guide over the £100m transformation of Liverpool’s Hope Street.

Councillors last week approved a controversial plan to flatten much- loved Josephine Butler House at the junction with Myrtle Street, and replace it with a modern building.

Beatles tour guide Philip Coppell expressed his disgust about the scheme to Maghull Developments managing director Michael Hanlon, questioned how it got planning permission and said he hoped the company went bankrupt.

Mr Hanlon, who is seeking legal advice about Mr Coppell’s comments, launched a tirade of foul mouthed abuse in an email reply.

Mr Hanlon’s expletive-strewn reply called Mr Coppell a “f*****g ignorant pig” and told him that “we could always make room for you in the foundations within the new development”.

Mr Coppell today said: “This man is not fit to be involved in the development of this city. The email I got from him is abusive and I was appalled by it.

“I was really angry that they have been given permission for this development. I just wanted to let them know I was unhappy about it.

“This is a managing director of a company that the council and planning department are dealing with.”

When approached by reporters, Mr Hanlon was unrepentant.

A spokesman for the Maghull Group said: “Michael Hanlon did send this email.

“It was in response to a grossly offensive and defamatory email received from Philip Coppell, about which both Michael and Maghull Group are taking legal advice.”

Mr Coppell sought advice from Merseyside police over the email. He said they advised him any further contact from Mr Hanlon could be considered harassment.

Josephine Butler House will be demolished to make way for a modern complex, including offices, shops and restaurants.

Designers from Maghull Developments convinced Liverpool council’s planning committee the scheme should go ahead.

Read the emails > > >