Lib Dems condemn Labour councillors' election behaviour

5.33.21pm GMT Mon 28th Feb 2005

The Standards Board for England (which investigates the conduct of councillors) has concluded that two Labour Lambeth Councillors both breached the code of conduct and brought their position and the Council into disrepute.

Herne Hill Councillor Peter O'Connell wrote letters to voters in a by-election with misleading information about Lambeth's plans for door-to-door recycling, and about crime and anti-social behaviour, claiming that Lambeth did not routinely pass information to the police.

The Ethical Standards Officer noted that O'Connell did not check the accuracy of the letters with officers, who did not know that their comments were going to be quoted at all, and especially not in election material.

The Standards Board concluded that O'Connell failed to treat the officers with respect, compromised their impartiality and that he improperly conferred an advantage on the Labour candidate in the by-election, bringing his office and Lambeth Council disrepute. To date O'Connell has not apologised for his actions.

Councillor Gary Follis of Larkhall ward published two election letters that misquoted council officers in the run-up to the same council by-election in August 2003. Follis was the Labour candidate's election agent and a member of the by-election committee that approved the letters.

The Standards Board's conclusion was again that Follis brought his office and authority into disrepute.