The leader of Wiltshire Council has said that the potential incident of electoral fraud that occurred at Trowbridge County Hall “would be really shocking”.
This comes after a leaked image of a complaint statement sent to Wiltshire Council suggested that the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats on the council, Cllr Gordon King, reached over to use the voting console of the Lib Dem leader, Cllr Ian Thorn, whilst he was absent at a council meeting.
Wiltshire Police has confirmed they are investigating “a potential incident of electoral fraud”, and now Cllr Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council, has spoken on the subject.
READ MORE: Wiltshire Council - Investigation into suspected electoral fraud
He said: “All Wiltshire Councillors are elected by roughly the same number of residents and all have one vote when it comes to council meetings.
“All councillors are aware of that and for one councillor to ask another one to vote for them whilst they are not in the council chamber would be really shocking.
“It may sound like a technicality but the principle of each elected councillor or MP having one vote and having to cast it themselves underpins the basic function of democracy.”
The alleged incident occurred at the full council meeting on Tuesday, October 15, during a debate on a motion related to car usage in Wiltshire.
Although Cllr Thorn was present at the meeting, he had stepped out of the chamber when the vote on a Liberal Democrat amendment to the Conservative motion occurred.
Cllr Thorn has said he will be “happy” to speak on the topic once the complaint process has ended.
SEE ALSO: Councillor resigns from Wiltshire Council Conservative group
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He noted: “I understand the complaints process is confidential until the complaint is resolved.
“It would be unethical to comment further on the nature of the complaint until the process is complete.
“However, it is disappointing that someone has decided that their need to publicise the complaints is more important than ensuring a fair and robust process.
“I’m sure this has nothing to do with an election just a few months away.”
A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said: “Any complaints about councillor conduct are handled in accordance with Protocol 11 in the council’s Constitution: Arrangements for Handling Code of Conduct Complaints.
“The Protocol requires that such complaints remain confidential until determined.”
Cllr King and the leaders of the Labour group and the independent group on Wiltshire Council have also been approached for comment.
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