A Cheltenham borough council chief has today condemned a leaflet being circulated which gives false information about a borough councillor who is standing for re-election next month.
The leaflet alleges that Councillor John Payne has claimed more than 22,000 in expenses from Cheltenham Borough Council since 2018 and that he voted for a car park in his Prestbury ward to be sold off.
Paul Jones, executive director of finance and asssets at the council, who is the returning officer for the forthcoming local election, has issued a statement saying both allegations are false.
Mr Payne has been councillor for Prestbury since 2014 and was elected as a candidate for the local People Against Bureaucracy Action Group.
At next month's local election on May 5th he is defending his seat against Laura Haley (Con), Ben Ingram (Lib Dem), and Dan Taylor (Green).
The returning officer stated today ‘’It has been brought to my attention that a leaflet is being systematically distributed to all residents in the ward of Prestbury containing false information in respect of John Payne.
"It is my personal view that the contents of this leaflet is in contravention of section 106 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 in that said leaflet is relaying false statements towards a candidate with the purpose of affecting the return of a candidate at the Borough Elections due to take place on 4th May 2022.
"A review is underway to consider if the leaflet and its professional distribution...
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