The Mayor of Salford has called on a Lib Dem councillor to resign after he won an election last night — more than 100 MILES AWAY.
Chris Twells currently represents Ordsall for the Lib Dems in Salford — but stood as ‘a paper candidate’ in the Tetbury with Upton ward for the Cotswolds District Council. Questions were raised about his candidacy, but voters in Salford were told it was ‘much ado about nothing’ by Alex Warren, another Salford Lib Dem.
“His name is on the ballot paper as a paper candidacy because the Lib Dems were struggling to fill their slate,” he said last month. “He will not win.”
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However, Mr Twells did in fact win — securing 267 votes in Tetbury with Upton ward — and beating out Conservative Peter Coleman, who received 207 votes. Now, Salford city mayor Paul Dennett has called on Coun Twells to resign his post.
“Congratulations Councillor Chris Twells & ‘paper candidate’ in the Cotswolds on being elected c. 160 miles away from the City of Salford in Cotswold District Council’s Tetbury with Upton Ward,” he tweeted just after 10am today (May 5). “Please now do the right thing by the people of Ordsall and Salford and RESIGN to focus on the Cotswolds.”
Mr Dennett then posted an open letter to the social media platform at lunchtime, addressed to Coun Warren. In it, he wrote: "You assured the press that Mr Twells 'put a lot of work in and deserved to win his seat for Ordsall'. Coun Twells has not responded directly to press requests.
"He was clearly always more than a paper candidate - as is evident this morning. As such, I am asking you as leader of your group to do the right thing by our residents and insist that Coun Twells resigns his Ordsall seat."
At the time of writing, neither Coun Twells nor Coun Warren had made a public statement on the win.
Couns Chris Twells and Alex Warren have been contacted for comment.
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