GAVIN Barwell said the aide who edited his Wikipedia page to remove reference to a satirical Advertiser article made a 'silly mistake'.

Mario Creatura should not have deleted an entry about a satirical campaign that mocked the Croydon Central MP for launching too many campaigns, said Mr Barwell.

Mr Creatura, also a local councillor, removed the passage on Thursday morning because he felt it was "slightly politically biased".

The MP told the Advertiser his assistant should not have edited the page because it was a "nice, funny story".

Mr Barwell said: "I think he has learnt a lesson that you shouldn't fiddle with Wikipedia pages."

He added that the Coulsdon West councillor would not be punished for what had happened.

The sentence in question related to the Advertiser's Campaign to End All Campaigns, which started in December when Mr Barwell set up his fifth petition in little more than a month.

It said: "The local paper the Croydon Advertiser called on Mr Barwell to 'stop launching campaigns' and persistent attempts at headline-grabbing in December 2014, saying 'Gavin, we get it, there's an election on'."

Mr Creatura, who edited the page using a computer in the House of Commons, said he deleted the passage because he believed 'Gavin, we get it, there's an election on' was "unfair".

"I thought Wikipedia was about biographical accuracy without political bias," he explained.

Asked whether his assistant should have changed the entry, Mr Barwell said: "No, for two reasons.

"Firstly, it's always a mistake for politicians to try and manipulate these things.

"Secondly, I've always regarded the Advertiser article as quite a nice, lighthearted story. There's nothing there to worry about.

"Even if it had been negative it's not a sensible thing to do.

"If there's something untrue then you take it up with Wikipedia, but it's never a good idea for politicians or their staff to try and edit these things.

"It was a mistake on Mario's part."

Quizzed on whether he knew Mr Creatura edits his page, the MP replied: "No. I've never looked at my Wikipedia page. I've no real interest in it.

"I take the point of view there are a whole load of things people will say about you online and you need to have a thick skin about it."

Mr Creatura told the Advertiser he took care of such matters because his boss is "not the most technically-minded person".

"He generally has no idea," he added.

Mr Barwell said: "I would say I'm certainly not a genius at these things but I have a reasonable level of competence."

As for whether it was within his aide's remit, Mr Barwell said: "It is in his job description to help with communications; I don't think that counts as communications."

Mr Barwell declined to reveal whether he had received an apology from his assistant, but said he considered the matter closed.

"He made a silly mistake and he learned his lesson.

"It doesn't go any further than that."

He added that he had no idea a reference to his 'dating Asian girls' gaffe had been deleted from Wikipedia and said he was confused by the multiple entries relating to Steven Seagal (including someone changing his name and profession to the Hollywood hardman).

"I'm quite a fan of some of his films but not in any obsessive way," he said.

"I don't know what that's about at all. That just shows you the sort of weird stuff that goes online."

A WOMAN who called for an ambulance when she thought her partner was having a stroke says one failed to show up for three hours – by which point he had already been discharged from hospital.

Nicola Glover, 36, said her partner Ian Gilroy, 61, was suffering from a dental infection and was worried it had spread to his brain on February 9.

"He was completely out of it," she said. "He was spaced out and not making any sense."

Mrs Glover was worried that Mr Gilroy was having a stroke, as he had suffered one a couple of years before, so she called for an ambulance at about 3.30pm.

She said: "They called back before 4pm to ask if there was any way I could take him to hospital, or they could call for a taxi."

Mrs Glover declined the operator's offer of a cab from the couple's home in Goodenough Close, Old Coulsdon, because she is disabled, and managed to get her father to give the couple a lift to Croydon University Hospital's A&E department.

Mrs Glover said she was concerned that London Ambulance Service (LAS) was offering taxis to patients rather than ambulances.

"Just think how much money might be spent on the actual ambulances rather than on taxis to people when they should be sending ambulances," she said.

By 7pm, Mr Gilroy had seen a doctor and been treated with antibiotics for an infection on his brain.

But Mrs Glover then had a call from her uncle, who lives nearby, who said an ambulance crew were "on the verge of breaking down the door", at her home.

She said they may have thought someone had passed out inside, as she'd left the television on for her dogs.

Mrs Glover said she had earlier told the operator she would make her own way to A&E, a suggestion LAS disputes.

An LAS spokesman said that from the information provided to them, Mr Glover was "conscious, breathing and alert".

She said: "We are sorry we couldn't be there as soon as we would have liked and for any distress this may have caused but we need to prioritise patients in a life-threatening condition.

"If the patient would like more information, they should get in touch with our Patient Experience Department."

CRYSTAL Palace striker Marouane Chamakh is set to face his former club Arsenal on Saturday - but his time in north London seems to a distant memory to the 31-year-old now.

The Moroccan says the Eagles must take at least a point against the Gunners as they look to improve their home form at Selhurst Park and climb the league table.

"Now, because I have played against them a few times, it is going to be different than it was before," said Chamakh.

"It is not like it's going to be the first time playing against them since I left Arsenal.

"It's going to be a good game to play for my team or me. We should do something because it's a really important game - Premier League game and we need a minimum of one point, but it's going to be hard."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

PALACE star Scott Dann says the club's home form needs to improve fast and hopes that will be the case come 5pm on Saturday. 

Although he is under no illusions of what awaits him and his team-mates as Arsenal come to town.

"They're another top team," said Dann. "They probably need the points as much as we do for other reasons but we know we need to improve on our Liverpool performance.

"I can't put my finger on why our home form hasn't been as good as our away form.

"No matter who we play at home we need to be going in and taking three points, whether that's against a team around us or one at the top. Hopefully we can put that right on Saturday."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

WE ALL love the trams right?

Even those - and there are plenty of them - with a seemingly permanent downer on our town will add what you might call the tram caveat ('Those trams are good though, aren't they?' or 'At least we have trams')

So why are the people of Croydon so proud of their trams? Here's a few reasons:

1. Trams run in all weathers and conditions. While our trains wimp out because of a few leaves on the line and cars grind to a halt at the first sign of snow, the trams carry on majestically, ploughing through wind/rain/snow/cyclone and telling the rest of the transport crew to man up. 

2.  The trams are almost always on time. Drive to work and you'll get stuck in traffic, get the train and, well, we know what happens there. But the trams? You could set your watch by them.

3. They are green, not just in colour, but also in terms of their environmental impacts. Only walking or cycling are better for the planet and, let's face it, nobody wants to do that.

4. All human life is there. The trams don't care for hierarchy, they are no respecter of reputation and status. Recently, Palace players Joe Ledley and Joel Ward were spotted on a tram while Boris is known to use them occasionally (what do you mean he's just doing it for the show?) On the flip side, what better place than to meet a few local 'characters'?

5. It makes Croydon unique. We are the only town in the south of England with trams. Sure, everyone seems to think central London is the centre of the universe these days and, of course, Brighton has a beach and some lovely shops selling Tofu-based smoothies - but they haven't got ruddy trams, have they?

6. Back to the start really - the trams unite Croydon, everyone loves them. So much so, maybe we should go the whole hog and rename this place Tramdon. Now there's a thought..

A PARTIALLY-SIGHTED former Crystal Palace Fan of the Year has criticised the club for failing to adapt Selhurst Park for her since its return to top-flight football.

Mandy Maddock, 60, who also uses a wheelchair because of arthritis, was presented with the club's supporter of the year award for the 2012-13 promotion season.

But since the first game of last season, she said she has been unable to properly enjoy the atmosphere.

Mrs Maddock, who can see only light and dark, used to be able to listen to commentary on Palace Radio when it was broadcast through radios from the disabled fans section at the corner of the Holmesdale Road stand.

But now Palace Radio has moved to internet-only broadcasts, the devoted Palace fan must sit at the back of the away supporters' block of the Arthur Wait stand to tune in to Radio Mayday's coverage of the match.

Mrs Maddock, from East Croydon, said: "Having travelled up and down the country, I've got used to sitting with my own folk.

"I've been devastated by it, I sat at home crying when I missed the Newcastle game, which was the first game I've missed home and away for three years.

"Disabled people don't go because they have to, they go because they want to. It's like organising the D-Day landings for us to go there."

She said that, although many fans have been respectful, a Leicester fan urinated on her wheelchair while she sat in a seat when the Foxes visited Selhurst in September.

She has been going to Selhurst since 1991, and counts Nigel Martyn, Chris Coleman and Andrew Johnson among her favourite players, and even listens to full recordings of the radio commentary two or three more times after the match has finished.

Mrs Maddock, whose sight was damaged during her birth, claims the club has told her on numerous occasions it would bring someone in to fit an induction loop around the ground for Palace Radio.

But despite telling her the meeting would take place on Thursday, it has now been pushed back to Wednesday.

Mrs Maddock, an advocate and counsellor for disabled people, added: "I've been told it would be sorted lots of times, but I just feel it's going to be another misleading story and I'm not getting my hopes up.

"I have given them plenty of time now but when that £5.5 billion TV deal was announced, I thought 'that's it, no more excuses'."

A Palace spokesman said the club had been looking at plans to install induction loops around the ground for some time and is still keen to push ahead with them.

CRYSTAL Palace could be boosted by having striker Shola Ameobi available for tomorrow's clash with Arsenal.

The 33-year-old, who arrived on a free last month, has been improving his fitness and overcoming an ankle problem.

However, boss Alan Pardew hinted Ameobi could be on the substitutes' bench at the very least at Selhurst Park.

"I think he has got a chance for this game (with Arsenal)," said the manager.

"Shola is getting close. He trained well (on Thursday), he's had a hard week and I think his experience is going to be important to us.

"I am looking forward to seeing him in a red and blue shirt."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

Palace entertain Arsenal at Selhurst Park this weekend and are 19/5 underdogs at BetVictor with the FA Cup holders 5/6 and the draw 29/10 at BetVictor.

The Gunners have an excellent recent record against the Eagles; winning seven and without a defeat in the last ten games between the sides. Arsene Wenger's side are, indeed, unbeaten in their last 11 games against Palace in all competitions at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles have only won three of their last 14 at Selhurst Park in the PL and their north London opponents are fighting for a top four finish but this is a game I expect Alan Pardew's me to get something from.

Palace and the draw is Even money at BetVictor and that is the recommendation with a 1-1 draw at 13/2 the most likely outcome.

Dwight Gayle and Fraizer Campbell are both 3/1 to score at anytime in the match and 9/1 to grab the opening goal; Gayle looked sharp against Liverpool last weekend and 3/1 might be too big against an Arsenal defence that always give you a chance.

For all your odds, head to BetVictor.com.

CRYSTAL Palace are welcoming Arsenal to Selhurst Park for a London derby tomorrow (Saturday).

It is a crucial clash for both sides, with Palace still in need of points in their battle at the bottom, while Arsenal are still chasing a top four spot in the Premier League.

But who will come out on top in south London? Our resident tipster, Bobby Dubz, gives his predictions for the weekend's games.

Saturday

Aston Villa v Stoke - Prediction: 1-1

Chelsea v Burnley - Prediction: 3-0

Crystal Palace v Arsenal - Prediction: 1-2

Hull v QPR - Prediction: 1-0

Sunderland v West Brom - Prediction: 1-1

Swansea v Manchester United - Prediction: 0-2

Manchester City v Newcastle United - Prediction: 3-1

Sunday

Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - Prediction: 2-0

Everton v Leicester City - Prediction: 2-1

Southampton v Liverpool - Prediction: 1-1

POLICE have released CCTV images of a man wanted in connection with a sexual assault on a train just before Christmas.

A 25-year-old woman was sat next to a man on a train leaving London Victoria station in the early hours of Sunday, December 14. Police said the victim chatted to the man, before falling asleep, and woke to find him kissing her. He had his hand down the back of her trousers.

The train was heading to Three Bridges, but the assault is believed to have happened before the train passed through Merstham.

Detective Constable Helen Magill said: "The victim stood up quickly and moved to another seat. Do you know the man in the photos we have released?"

Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police, on 0800 405040, quoting reference SSUB/B3.

People can also text BTP, on 61016, or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A SOUTH Croydon man who received sick videos to his phone via WhatsApp has been convicted of two counts of possessing extreme animal-porn.

Curtis Roberts, 26, of Copse View, pleaded guilty today (Friday) at Croydon Crown Court to two count possessing extreme pornographic images portraying an act of intercourse/oral sex with a dead/alive animal which were grossly offensive, disgusting, or otherwise of obscene character.

Both videos depicted a person performing a sexual act on a dog.

A third count of possessing an indecent video of a child with a view to it being distributed or shown to another was dismissed after an application by the defence. This video depicted a sexual act on a donkey.

Roberts' phone had been checked by police for a completely unrelated matter.

But Alex Rooke, prosecuting, accepted Roberts' possession of the videos displayed a "distasteful sense of humour rather than anything more concerning".

Mr Rooke also accepted the defence submission the videos had been received through "unsolicited messages on WhatsApp" to his £500 iPhone.

Judge Stephen Waller gave Roberts, who works part time in a shoe shop, 12 month conditional discharges – to run concurrently - for both counts he was convicted of.

Judge Waller said: "It is accepted by the prosecution these were not for your own sexual satisfaction, they had passed through your phone and as the Crown put it, they are the result of a distasteful sense of humour by people who were passing them around."

Roberts was ordered to forfeit his phone - which he said was a present from his girlfriend – and ordered to pay £100 prosecution costs and a statutory victim surcharge.

The dropped charge of possession of an indecent video of a child will remain on Roberts' file.

WhatsApp is the world's most popular instant messaging app for mobile phones and videos and images which are sent to mobile phones using it are automatically saved to video and photo libraries.

A MAN accused of attempting to murder another man in Croydon town centre with an axe appeared in court again today (Friday).

Joshua Streeks, 22, of Morland Road, Addiscombe, appeared via video link from Highdown Prison at Croydon Crown Court this morning for his preliminary hearing.

His trial date was set for August 3, with a plea and case management hearing set for May 8.

Streeks, who did not enter a plea, faces one charge of attempted murder and another of possessing an offensive weapon, an axe, in a public place.

Liam O'Brien was hit over the head with an axe outside the Bad Apple nightclub in Park Street during the early hours of Wednesday, February 4. 

Yannick Bolasie runs down the wing,

The Holmesdale and Arthur wait stand sing.

He twists, he turns, his tricks and flicks,

Next move not even he predicts.

All certain now that he'll go far,

Comes back an international star.

Toon midweek, under floodlights,

Comes on strong, the game ignites.

One run, two runs, three runs, four,

The cross to Frazier, Campbell scores.

Predictions? No, call off all bets,

Even he won't know what he'll do next.

The weekend comes, new match, new game,

As fresh defenders try to tame,

A winger who time and time again,

Is sure to play and entertain.

Can't work him out, the back line panic,

A true Eagle who fans love called Yannick.

The Advertiser spoke to Arsenal fan and MATCH magazine news editor Tim O'Sullivan for his views on Saturday's clash at Selhurst Park…

How confident do you feel heading to south London on Saturday?

I was nervous about this fixture a couple of weeks back, but Palace looked a bit flat against Liverpool and Newcastle. It could be a good time to play them, but if the fans are up for it and the front four are back on form, it could be a tricky afternoon.

Alexis Sanchez has been incredible but how key has Santi Cazorla been to you?

Santi was excellent in December, but his form only got mainstream attention after his ridiculously good individual performance against Manchester City in January. A player like Alexis will always grab the headlines for his goals, dribbling, work-rate and South American mystique, but Santi has been a close second for our player of the season so far. His dribbling is unreal, he's the best two-footed player in the league.

The race for a Champions League spot is wide open. Will you make it?

This question makes me laugh. Not because we definitely will, but because it comes up EVERY year without fail…and we do it EVERY year without fail. It's competitive up there this season and my cliché book says we can't take anything for granted, but I'd be surprised if we didn't finish inside the top four. Part of me thinks we might even finish as high as second.

What have you made of Palace this season?

Palace are a cracking team to watch on their day, but seem to suffer the same problems with inconsistency as others in mid-table. Those last 20 minutes against Tottenham in January were exhilarating, with Puncheon, Gayle and Zaha looking dangerous in every attack. Bolasie is back now and he's another big threat. Attacking talent like that can hurt any team in the league, but I guess the problem is showcasing it week in, week out.

And finally, a score prediction for the weekend?

Palace were class against Liverpool and Tottenham in the league this season, plus their quick attack could easily hurt our defence, but their last two games have made me more optimistic than I was two weeks ago. I think we'll sneak it 2-1.

A YOUNG woman was taken to hospital after her car was involved in a collision with a van in South Croydon this morning.

Police were called at approximately 7.40am to reports of the collision in Coombe Road, at the junction with Melville Avenue.

London Ambulance Service attended and the woman, in her 20s, was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

A road closure was put in place while emergency services were at the scene.

No arrests were made.

Crystal Palace owner Steve Parish has named three players from the current squad in his best Eagles all-time XI.

Parish was talking to Sky Sports' Fantasy Football Club television show when he named the best players to wear the famous red and blue in his time as a supporter.

At the back, it was extremely close between Julian Speroni and Nigel Martyn, but it was the latter who got Parish's pick.

In defence, Parish picked Academy product Nathaniel Clyne at right-back, Gareth Southgate and Scott Dann at centre-back, with Kenny Sansom on the left.

In midfield, the Wilfried Zaha took his place on the right wing, with Andy Gray and club captain Mile Jedinak in the middle of the park. Don Rogers took his place on the left wing.

And up front, Parish went for one of the best strikeforces in Palace's history, picking Ian Wright and Mark Bright.

A FORMER Riddlesdown High School pupil who had his leg amputated in life-saving cancer surgery needs £70,000 for a prosthetic limb so he can walk again.

Billy Lee, who grew up in Sundale Avenue, Selsdon, was diagnosed with an aggressive 10cm sarnovia sarcoma tumour 15 days before his 20th birthday in November.

His femur then broke through the stress of the tumour on December 1, making him bedbound over Christmas in Addenbrooke's hospital, Cambridge, for eight weeks.

Despite two sets of high dosage chemotherapy treatments to reduce the tumour, results last month showed his cancer was more aggressive than originally thought, with Billy's only chance of survival to have an immediate full leg and half-hip amputation in Birmingham the week after.

Consultants told Billy and his family he would have to spend his whole life on crutches or in a wheelchair, as the NHS could not fund a prosthetic limb for an amputation of this kind.

The only way Billy, who was months away from completing his three year electrician's apprenticeship when diagnosed, will be able to walk again is to raise £70,000.

His aunt and mother's twin sister Jane Lee, from Forestdale, said: "From the very beginning it was made very clear to him about his leg; he was very much of the mindset that if it got rid of the cancer he wanted to have it done.

"He has been trying to have a positive outlook."

His family, who moved with Billy to Cambridgeshire five years ago, now hope to raise the money in time for when his scar has healed and settled in nine to 12 months.

The money raised will be used to buy a Helix 3D prosthetic leg, which costs £70,000 and needs five yearly servicing, with replacement parts costing £18,500.

Billy, who also attended Selsdon Primary School, had told his parents he would never go out with his mates again or take his girlfriend to a restaurant due to worries about his body image.

His parents, Rebecca, 44, and Spencer, 42, have also been told he will experience depression as a result of the loss of his leg.

But he has already been out with his friends and girlfriend, and his aunt says he is "embracing the challenge" of the fundraising.

Billy's college course has also been placed on hold while he continues his rehabilitation, and his college is committed to helping him pass with flying colours.

Jane, 44, who appeared in five series of ITV show Airline, said: "He's a very sensitive, lovely, caring, happy-go-lucky boy who is always thinking of other people.

"He's one of those people that, even when he was in hospital and you would ask him how he is, he would just ask straight back 'how are you?'"

There will be up to 30 fundraising events for Billy in the next few months, including a sold-out clairvoyant evening on Friday, March 13, at Selsdon Park Hotel.

To donate to Billy's 'back on my own 2 feet' fund visit www.gofundme.com/Billyon2feet

A BLIND, disabled Crystal Palace fan who has had to sit in the away end for much of the season claims a Leicester fan urinated on her wheelchair.

Mandy Maddock, 60, has had to sit at the back of the away end in the Arthur Wait stand while she waits for the club to install an induction loop for radio coverage in another part of the ground.

She has spent much of this season sitting right at the back of the away fans next to Radio Mayday, where she can listen to coverage of the game.

While she picked out Aston Villa fans as very friendly and helpful, she said the Leicester fans she sat next to were "vile", with one even urinating on her wheelchair as she sat in a near-by seat.

She said: "It was so horrible, they were disgusting and so disrespectful."

Crystal Palace ran out 2-0 winners against the Foxes in the September 27 fixture.

Mandy, a former Palace fan of the year, is pushing the club to install new induction loop technology, which the club has said it is looking into. 

STAFF from a family centre in New Addington have been crowned Croydon's most knowledgeable safety experts following a competition run by London Fire Brigade.

Wolsey Family Centre proved it had what it takes when it comes to fire safety, first aid and remaining secure when using the internet.

In fact, it was a good day for New Addington as a whole, as community groups from the estate also finished in second and third place too.

London Fire Brigade's Crossfire team visited more than 35 different community groups in Croydon, including youth clubs, retirement homes, Brownies, Girl Guides, Scouts and churches, over a six-month period.

Nine groups took part in the grand final at the All Ages Family Safety Challenge held at Fairfield Halls on Tuesday.

Wolsey's team took home the first prize – tickets to London Zoo. Second place went to Energetic and Wise, a healthy eating group, and third to Pathfinders Youth Group.

Crew manager Zara Long, who is part of the Crossfire team, said: "It was an absolutely brilliant day.

"This was the seventh time we have hosted the event and it was the biggest and best yet. What was really pleasing was the cross-section of people involved.

"We had children from eight years old to pensioners over 70 taking part, and it was great opportunity for us to get across fire and other safety messages.

"One of the highlights was seeing that everyone involved could successfully put people in the recovery position."

She added: "To know there are people out on our streets with that knowledge is really reassuring."

A CAR and a motorbike collided in Selsdon this morning causing a road closure.

Police were called to reports of the collision in Addington Road at approximately 9.45am.

London Ambulance Service attended but did not take anyone to hospital even though a man came off his bike.

The road closure is no longer in place.