Candidate suspends campaign

A CONSERVATIVE election candidate for an east Runcorn seat has suspended his election campaigning ‘out of respect’ for the victims of the Manchester terror attack.

Graham Evans, who is hoping to win in Weaver Vale on June 8, also paid tribute to the emergency services for their response to the murdersuicide bombing on Monday, May 22.

The Tory contender, who won the election in 2015 and 2010, also issued several messages online paying tribute to victims and he retweeted appeals to find missing people.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “My grandparents stood up to the Nazis in the Manchester Blitz 1940, the IRA in the 1990s and today against Evil.”

On Tuesday, he added: “Today, our hearts were broken.

“I saw my little girl come home from school and I thought of those who affected the #manchesterattack.”

In a further statement, he said: “My heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with the victims of last night’s horrendous attack in Manchester and all their loved ones.

“Our wonderful emergency services have worked throughout the night, trying to save the lives of the injured and keep us safe.

“They make me proud to be British.

“Working closely with the Secretary Of State For Defence on a day-to-day basis, I know that the defence of this country, and its people, can never be taken for granted.

“But I also know that the terrorists will never win.

“Our values, our country and our way of life will always prevail.

“As a mark of respect, I have suspended all election campaigning in Weaver Vale for the time being.”