10 months, according to the CPS, who have finally decided that Walter Volks "will not be prosecuted over allegations of electoral malpractice"
The story is here (http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Leeds-councillor-will-not-be.5271531.jp) and here (http://www.morleyobserver.co.uk/news/Morley-councillor-cleared-of-breaching.5272680.jp)
May I make a few observations?
"Coun Finnigan said today: "I am delighted that these entirely bogus allegations have been dumped"
It took 10 months of investigation to decide there is "insufficient evidence to prosecute" these "entirely bogus allegations". Hmmm.
Plus of course, as sure as the Moon rises, we are treated to the inevitable "malicious", "spiteful", "vicious" and "political axe to grind" tirade.
However, maybe this should be pointed out;
People seem to be concentrating on the address aspect, which although it is unusual - apparently he is still on the electoral roll in Morley, although admitting to the YEP he doesn't actually live here. Which means he is able to:
- vote for Morley's political representatives even though by his own admission he doesn't actually live in the area.
- be eligible to stand for LCC next time around (you are eligible if you are registered to vote in the area or if you have lived, had as your main or principle place of work, or owned property in the area for at least 12 months before an election.) [my highlights]
- meet the qualifications to be a town councillor, as one has to, at least, live within 3 miles of the town council boundary to be eligible to stand. And I suspect that Liversedge is very much on the cusp of that. Either way, a local address looks much better on the ballot paper, even if it is the registered HQ of a local political party
However, this all misses the fact that Walter claimed eligibility to stand in the election, and has said as much to the press, by ticking the box against the work criteria conditions.
Now it is all very well stating that he was no longer employed by Kirklees council when he signed his nomination papers in April 2008 - but he only left there in March 2008 after being charged with Gross Misconduct by his employers (again, this was in the local press)
So, was he was cheating his employers ("gross misconduct"?) or has the decision been based on on the amount of brass he has received from both councils, or has he managed to produce timesheets accounting for how much time outside work he has spent being an LCC councillor? Or is there some other reason, in which case I'm sure we would be grateful to know.
Anyway, IMHO;
It stinks.
