Howard Challenged Over Police Involvement

Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman Peter Carroll has challenged MP Michael Howard to publicly apologise for the actions of the local Conservative Party, after the Lib Dems were cleared of any wrong doing for the 2nd time in a Shepway election.

Twice in the last 18 months the Police have been forced to investigate Shepway Lib Dems following Conservative complaints. Each time the Police found no evidence of wrong doing after lengthy and expensive investigations.

Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman Peter Carroll said, "I am delighted that this ridiculous business has finally been put to bed. I now challenge Michael Howard to say sorry to the people of Shepway for wasting the Police's time and precious resources."

He continued, "Because of Michael Howard's Conservatives, the Police have been forced to waste thousands of pounds investigating our party - Money that would have been much better spent tackling the very real crime on our streets in Shepway. The Police must be very fed up of hearing from the local Conservative Party."

Local Liberal Democrats believe that this 2nd Conservative complaint was more inspired by 'political paranoia' than any real evidence.

Peter Carroll said, "This appears to be a cynical tactic used by Conservatives in Shepway. If Michael Howard knew about this, it's a disgrace that he let this happen and if he didn't know, he should have! Instead of fighting real campaigns on real issues, the Tories prefer to use the Police as an intimidating tactic. Why are they so frightened?"

Lib Dem General Election Agent Shaun Roberts, who was interviewed by the Police said, "I certainly got the impression that the Police were completely fed up with having to follow up another baseless Tory complaint. We were always very confident that the matter would be dropped."