Candidates’ fury at Lib Dem ‘made up party’ claims

Local democracy reporter A COMMUNITY-based political party has reacted furiously to Liberal Democrat claims it is a “made up” organisation.

Lib Dem candidates Christine and PJ Morrissey, standing in Newcastle’s Chapel ward, made the accusation against the Newcastle upon Tyne Community First Party in a campaign leaflet.

The allegation has now been referred to the police by Newcastle City Council after it was reported by Newcastle First leader Jason Smith, whose party are not contesting the seat but have endorsed two independent candidates with links to Newcastle First.

He said: “I am disappointed that I have had to make a complaint to the returning officer, after trying unsuccessfully to resolve what I thought was a mistake with the Lib Dem agent.

“Sadly, it now appears that this is a deliberate attempt to damage our good standing in the community by making untrue statements about our legal status.

“Although we have no candidates in Chapel ward, we do have supporters, members and donors in the area. If Lib Dems have lied about us in Chapel, where else have they been making claims of this kind?

“Accusing the returning officer of allowing candidates representing pretend political parties is a serious allegation against both the returning officer and officers of the Newcastle upon Tyne Community First Party.

“It is so sad in their desperate attempt to get more than the 33 votes they achieved in Westerhope in 2016, Lib Dems are scraping around in the gutter for things to say in their election leaflets.”

The leaflet, which encourages voters to back independent Marc Donnelly as well as the two Lib Dem candidates, stated other candidates previously “stood in several different ‘made up’ parties without success over many years, including Newcastle First and North of England Community Alliance”.

Both Newcastle First and the North of England Community Alliance are registered political parties.

Newcastle First has endorsed independents Ernie and Olga Shorton in Chapel ward. The pair have previously stood as Newcastle First candidates and were formally registered as the party’s leader and treasurer respectively.

Christine Morrissey said: “I am puzzled as to why Mr Smith regards this as a police matter and I regard this as a complete waste of police time.

“Neither he nor his party are on the ballot in Chapel ward at this election.

“I have advised him that I am happy to acknowledge that the party is correctly registered with the Electoral Commission in any subsequent literature, but believe that the Newcastle First party has only a handful of members. Mr Smith needs to explain why a registered official of his party is standing as a so-called independent in Chapel ward.”

Labour’s three candidates in Chapel ward are Abdul Samad, Bill Purvis and Sean Peacock, while the Conservatives are fielding Duncan Crute, Beryl Condra, and Steve Yewdall.

A council spokesman said “We have received a complaint alleging inaccurate information in an election campaign leaflet. As in accordance with standard procedure, the Returning Officer has referred the complaint to Northumbria Police.”