Councillor in 'dirty tricks' call to Tory leader

Allegations of dirty tricks relating to the upcoming Leicestershire County Council elections have been sent to Tory leader David Cameron by a Labour councillor.

As reported in the Leicester Mercury on Saturday, leaked e-mails show that Conservative deputy leader Nicholas Rushton offered a pre-election deal to get a rival independent candidate to stand down in the Valley division in North West Leicestershire.

County council Labour leader Matthew O'Callaghan sent the documents to Mr Cameron, saying that, as the Tory chief is taking the row over Westminster expenses seriously, he should launch an inquiry into the allegations at County Hall.

The e-mails stem from a legal row over the use of Hardulph's Primary School, in Breedon on the Hill, as a community centre that has been going on between the council and residents for two years.

Villager Simon Jones decided to stand as an independent in next month's elections because he believed Coun Rushton had not represented the area properly on the issue.

However, leaked e-mails show that Coun Rushton said he would guarantee a new village hall if Mr Jones pulled out, which he did.

Coun O'Callaghan said: "I believe David Cameron to be a honourable man and like the other party leaders genuinely concerned to clean up politics in this country.

"I thought it important for him to know what is going on in Leicestershire and see what has been sent to the police. I am sure Mr Cameron will take the issue seriously and investigate it further."

Police have confirmed they are looking into the allegations.

Yesterday, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for North West Leicestershire, Andrew Bridgen, described this as "a complete waste of time".