A council candidate has defended standing in the Hyndburn local elections while also running for a parliamentary seat 100 miles away.
Liam Clark is running for the Clayton-le-Moors council seat for the UK Independence Party, but is also a prospective parliamentary candidate for the party in the City of Durham.
Clayton-le-Moors Labour ward councillor Tim O’Kane said: “I am interested in who my fellow councillor will be, whoever it’s going to be should be focused on Clayton 100 per cent. How can you possibly be focused if you are campaigning 100 miles away?”
But Mr Clark, who lives in Oakfield Avenue, Huncoat, hit back at the criticism.
He said: “I am standing in Clayton because I want to represent my community, I am standing in Durham for the experience. In terms of focus, I am 100 per cent committed, I am just spending the odd day in Durham.”
The Clayton-le-Moors seat will also be contested by Stephen Brierley (Conservative) and Melissa Fisher (Labour). A total of three UKIP Hyndburn council election candidates are also running for a parliamentary seat.
