Retiring leader Jones in row with candidate

OUTGOING council leader Michael Jones has become involved in a row with one of the hopefuls bidding to replace him.

The two candidates hoping to replace Michael Jones after he announced his resignation last month were announced this week as Conservative councillors Rachel Bailey and Janet Clowes.

Deputy leader David Brown had initially said he had intended to stand - but has since withdrawn.

When the Express contacted Coun Jones for his opinion on the candidates, he issued a statement saying he was surprised one of the candidates had ‘the gall’ to stand.

He later confirmed he was referring to Janet Clowes.

He said: “My comments on the Conservative candidates are that I am pleased that a new leader will be elected and some candidates are outstanding.

“I am a little surprised that one candidate, whose spouse tried so hard to undermine me, has the gall to stand but that is politics in Cheshire.

“I would hope that all members recognise that someone else whose spouse so readily condemned me should not benefit.”

Coun Jones declined to expand any further on his statement.

Coun Clowes, who said her husband did not want to comment on the matter, responded with a statement which said Coun Jones was ‘trying to undermine the leadership process’.

She said: “Perhaps unsurprisingly, Coun Jones is now attempting to undermine the leadership contest by endorsing specific candidates while also making a factually inaccurate personal attack.

“This type of behaviour does none of the candidates any favours.”