Members accused of breaking law

THREE Labour councillors face lengthy bans from public life if they are found guilty of breaking election law.

A complaint made by the UK Independence Party into councillors Jeff Rodin, Achilleas Georgiou and Yasemin Brett is set to go before the standards committee.

The trio sent letters to Bowes ward residents during the recent election campaign using Enfield Council's headed notepaper and franking machine.

One letter was received by the family of Brian Hall, the UKIP candidate for the ward, whose election agent submitted a formal complaint under the Representation of the People Act.

Fred Rolfe of the UKIP said: "There appeared to be electioneering at the council's expense. We do not think this is on.

"As soon as we saw the letter we felt there was something wrong. They should be aware of what the protocol is."

The case has been investigated by the Special Branch and the Crown Prosecution Service but the council's returning officer Mark McLaughlin has decided not to prosecute.

A council spokeswoman said: "Given the circumstances it was decided that there was no public interest in pursuing the complaint further.

"The councillors concerned have repaid the cost of printing and posting the letters that were issued and the matter is now closed."

But UKIP officials disagree and are now preparing to take their case to the standards committee.

If the complaint is upheld, the trio could face bans of up to three years.

10:33 Thursday 30th May 2002

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