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Norfolk UKIP councillor at centre of malpractice inquiry | Norfolk UKIP councillor at centre of malpractice inquiry |
(about 9 hours later) | |
A newly-elected UKIP councillor, at the centre of an investigation into a forged electoral nomination paper, has said he has not "done anything wrong". | |
Jonathon Childs, who won a seat on Norfolk County Council, reported ahead of the 2 May election that the signature on his form was not his. | Jonathon Childs, who won a seat on Norfolk County Council, reported ahead of the 2 May election that the signature on his form was not his. |
The Conservatives lost overall control of the council and UKIP became the second largest party. | The Conservatives lost overall control of the council and UKIP became the second largest party. |
Norfolk Police said its malpractice investigation was continuing. | |
Speaking for the first time since his election, Mr Childs said: "I've been vilified as being a forger and I'm disgusted with it all because I haven't done anything wrong." | Speaking for the first time since his election, Mr Childs said: "I've been vilified as being a forger and I'm disgusted with it all because I haven't done anything wrong." |
He said he went to see the council returning officer because he had "heard a rumour" there was something wrong with his form. | |
He still stood for election after the returning officer declared the nomination was valid. | He still stood for election after the returning officer declared the nomination was valid. |
Mr Childs won the East Flegg ward near Great Yarmouth, beating the sitting Conservative candidate Jim Shrimplin into second place. | Mr Childs won the East Flegg ward near Great Yarmouth, beating the sitting Conservative candidate Jim Shrimplin into second place. |
'Mystery to me' | 'Mystery to me' |
The Tories needed 43 seats to retain control of the 84-seat council but only won 40. | |
UKIP won 15 seats, Labour won 14, the Liberal Democrats won 10, the Greens won four and there was one independent councillor. | UKIP won 15 seats, Labour won 14, the Liberal Democrats won 10, the Greens won four and there was one independent councillor. |
Councillor Childs said: "I was in a daze, because I had signed nomination papers and it's a mystery to me. | Councillor Childs said: "I was in a daze, because I had signed nomination papers and it's a mystery to me. |
"If I hadn't gone down there, I think it would have been wrong and I stand by my conscience that I did the correct thing. | "If I hadn't gone down there, I think it would have been wrong and I stand by my conscience that I did the correct thing. |
"If a crime has been committed, I want the full weight of the judicial system levied against the perpetrator." | "If a crime has been committed, I want the full weight of the judicial system levied against the perpetrator." |
A Norfolk Police spokesperson said: "A police investigation into electoral malpractice is ongoing and the allegations are that one or more signatures on nomination papers were forged." | A Norfolk Police spokesperson said: "A police investigation into electoral malpractice is ongoing and the allegations are that one or more signatures on nomination papers were forged." |
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