THIS year’s Southend Council elections on May 1 are already being overshadowed by a claim of dirty tricks by the Independent group against the Tories in Westborough ward.

The Independent group claimed this week that the Westborough
Tories had encouraged and helped another Independent candidate,
Deri Laycock to stand against the group’s retiring councillor, Dr
Velmurugan in a deliberate attempt to confuse the electorate and
split the Independent vote.

The Tory candidate is Susan Luty, wife of Eastwood Coun Dr Jason Luty, who is acting as her agent – and, who it is claimed this week canvassed names for Mr Laycock’s nomination paper, and has helped with the delivery of his leaflets. Approached A Westborough resident has told this newspaper that he was approached by Coun Dr Luty and asked to sign a nomination form for Mr Laycock – but had to decline because he had already signed the nomination form for Coun Dr Velmurugan. Coun Martin Terry, leader of the Independent group of councillors on Southend Council, condemned the Westborough Tories tactics saying: “This is absolutely outrageous. We hope the voters of Westborough will not allow themselves to be conned in this way. “People have to ask themselves how an agent for a Tory candidate can help a supposed opponent?” Coun Dr Luty and his wife, Susan live in Westborough - opposite Deri Laycock