Mayoral candidate’s anger after being snubbed at hustings debate

A CANDIDATE running for the Sheffield City Region mayoral post has said he felt he was being ‘discriminated against’ after he was left out of a hustings debate.

Naveen Judah from South Yorkshire Save Our NHS is demanding an apology after being snubbed from the event at Quaker House in Sheffield city centre on Tuesday night.

The event, run by Democracy Sheffield, invited candidates from Labour, Lib Dems, Conservatives, Green party and the Yorkshire Party. David Allen from the English Democrats was also not invited. But group coordinator Vicky Seddon said they had ‘nothing to apologise for’ and said the move was ‘perfectly legitimate’.

She said the candidates from the respected parties were chosen on of the number of councillors, prospective candidates standing in local elections.

The pro-NHS candidate attended the meeting but was told he was not on the panel and couldn’t speak from the top table.

Mick Bower from the Yorkshire Party asked Mr Judah to join him at the top table and gave up some of his opening statement time for him to speak. He added that Ian Walker, the Conservative candidate, had to leave the meeting and Mr Judah still was not allowed to contribute.

Separately, a poll has suggested that Labour is set for the best performance in London local elections of any party for more than 40 years, according to a poll.

Jeremy Corbyn’s party enjoyed the support of 51 per cent of the capital’s voters, a massive 22 points ahead of Conservatives.