Wiltshire Council’s lone UKIP member, David Pollitt, now their candidate to fight Tory MP Claire Perry at the next election, has been reported to the county solicitor for using the council’s email system for “political” purposes.
The accusation follows his decision to forward to all the members of the council a briefing note sent out by the Lib-Dem Party nationally detailing their anti-UKIP strategy for forthcoming elections.
“It’s vital that you do not let UKIP divert you and your campaign, from your key campaign message and strategy,” says the document. “Make sure you continue to do the things that you know work – squeeze the third party, attack your main opponents and turn out our supporters.”
Mr Pollitt told Marlborough News Online: “It is full of their usual slander and lies. So I forwarded to all Wiltshire councillors — under the subject line of ‘more lies’.
“And that has prompted me being reported to the county solicitor for using the council email system for ‘political’ purposes.”
The 57-year-old business consultant added: “Interestingly, no one supported the document or argued it was in any way correct. I’m not sure how the council will function if this accusation against me is upheld, as I’m sure my emails from constituents are not unique in that over 80 per cent are of a ‘political’ nature.
“Complaints about Tory funding cuts are very common, which I have to say, sounds political to me. It seems I am a lone voice fighting for democracy and free speech.”
Mr Pollitt has yet to hear a response from the county solicitor.
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