Camborne councillor "attacked" in election leaflet (From This is The West Country)

Camborne councillor "attacked" in election leaflet

6:43pm Monday 1st June 2009 in Cornwall

Camborne councillor Stuart Cullimore has received a personal apology from the Liberal Democrat party after being called a "greasy-haired twat" in election material.

The words are contained in an election leaflet distributed by Anna Pascoe, who is a Liberal Democrat candidate in this Thursday's Cornwall Council elections and a fellow town councillor.

Around 40 of the leaflets are believed to have been delivered in the Basset Road and Basset Street area of Camborne.

The leaflet states that Ms Pascoe "has always campaigned on behalf of the people she represents - rather than using her position as a personal platform (like greasy-haired twat Stuart Cullimore)."

Dick Cole, leader of the Mebyon Kernow party which Mr Cullimore is standing for in the election, described the phrase as "an unpleasant personal attack."

Mr Cole said on behalf of Mr Cullimore and the party: "We are extremely disappointed that members of the Liberal Democrat Party have circulated a leaflet containing a personal attack on councillor Stuart Cullimore in certain parts of Camborne. Such activities should have no place in the political process and must be stamped out as a matter of urgency."

He added that Mr Cullimore was "considering his position and what other actions he may wish to take."

In a letter addressed to Mr Cullimore, Joe Taylor, agent for Camborne and Redruth Liberal Democrats, wrote: "I would like to wholeheartedly apologise to you for the upsetting and inappropriate remarks made about you in the unauthorised leaflet that was sent out in Basset Road and Basset Street, Camborne, earlier this week."

He added that a "very similar leaflet" had been printed on behalf of Ms Pascoe, which did not contain the remark, was distributed in the Camborne South ward.

Mr Taylor said that every house in the two streets had been visited and as many of the unauthorised leaflets as possible had been collected.

A letter would now be sent to everyone in the street apologising.

Other candidates for the Camborne South ward are Jacqueline Harding for the Labour Party, John Herd for the Conservatives and Independent John Woodward.