Election e-mail rap for Hibbert

Reporter: KAREN DOHERTY
Date online: 06 May 2010

ELECTION 2010

LABOUR’S David Hibbert has had his knuckles rapped for using a council computer for electioneering.

He breached members’ rules when he sent an e-mail accusing the Liberal Democrats of using “scaremongering election tactics”.

The Chadderton Matters e-mail was set up by Councillor Hibbert to keep Oldhamers informed about events and voluntary groups in the area.

But the one sent on April 27 attacked Lib-Dem candidate Mark Alcock for claiming that a prison is to be built in Chadderton in a general election leaflet.

Instead, Councillor Hibbert stated that “no such plans” exist and added: “I suggest you treat his scaremongering tactics with the disgust they deserve and, consequently, regard the rest of his campaign with the appropriate level of disdain.”

The spat is the latest war of words in the confusion over prison plans first revealed last spring. The e-mail was reported to the council by fellow Chadderton councillor and Tory group leader Jack Hulme.

He said: “It is very clear, it is well-known council policy, that council equipment is not used for electioneering purposes. As a senior member of the council he should know that.”

Councillor Hibbert has been contacted by a council officer and will receive a warning letter.

He criticised Councillor Hulme for “running to officers” rather than speaking to him and added: “I am saying I did not use the computer for party political purposes.

“I used it to tell the people of Chadderton what was going on rather than the misinformation that was being peddled in a general election leaflet. I do not see that as party political.”

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