Newport election row clerk defends his actions
A town council clerk has defended his decision to propose candidates for next month's local elections, despite criticism that he should be non-political.
Newport town clerk Lee Jakeman signed as the proposer for Lyn Fowler, an Independent candidate for Telford & Wrekin Council's Newport South and East ward.
And he did the same for Peter Scott in his application to stand as an Independent candidate for the east ward of Newport Town Council at the election on May 7.
But other candidates have hit out at the town council saying its staff should be "non-political" and the move could be seen as officers "choosing their councillors".
Mr Jakeman today rejected those claims, saying he wanted to help speed up the nomination process and make it easier for candidates to stand and would have been willing to sign forms for candidates from any party.
Telford & Wrekin Council said the nominations were "legal and valid".
Rodney Pitt, a Conservative town council candidate, said: "I think it is something that is of concern because all council officers must be non-political."
Roy Scammell, a Tory candidate for both councils, added: "Council officers are supposed to be non-political. I think it is diabolical."
In response, Mr Jakeman said: "
In hindsight it might not have been such a clever thing to do from a perception point of view but I am keen that all people are able to feel that they can stand for council."
