On Tuesday Stephen gave evidence at a public Inquiry into the planned closures of several Wirral libraries including those in Hoylake, Irby and Woodchurch. The Inquiry is a result of former Culture Minister Andy Burnham's last minute intervention to halt Wirral Borough Council's controversial Strategic Asset Review, it was chaired by Policy consultant Sue Charteris and lasted for two days

Stephen told the packed Floral Pavilion  the SAR was 'fundamentally flawed' and should be completely 're-run'. It was 'about buildings not services and the whole process had been entirely budget led'

Stephen was also very critical of the council for submitting revised evidence late last Friday.

He said: “It is unfortunate in a process which has taken almost six months, the council has had to produce two proofs [of evidence] within two weeks.”

Ms Charteris said she had allowed the council to submit its evidence late so it could read other people’s responses to information put into the inquiry

Referring to the consultation process and meetings about the SAR, he said: “The council has had six months to understand what the criticisms are.”

Stephen has led the campaign against Wirral Borough Council's Strategic Asset review from the very beginning, which has so far led to the Council abandoning their plans to close Woodchurch leisure centre and Pensby and Upton Libraries. Having previously ran a campaign to get the public to sign up for Library cards and taken a report to the Local Government Ombudsman demanding an investigation into the proposals.

A verdict is expected by the end of July.