Caution for Ashfield Labour Party chairman Jim Aspinall

Coun Jim Aspinall (65), an Ashfield District Council cabinet member, accepted the caution from Nottinghamshire Police in his role as chairman of the Ashfield Labour Party.

It was given in relation to an offence committed under section 106 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 and was regarding a leaflet published by The Labour Party during campaigning for last year’s Nottinghamshire County Council elections.

This leaflet, which was delivered in the Selston ward, claimed that independent councillor Gail Turner was being investigated by the Electoral Commission.

This was not true and thus constituted the making of a false statement of fact about the character or conduct of an election candidate.

Coun Turner, who retained her seat in the election, said: “It was a lie and was found to be a lie.”

She added that Coun Aspinall should apologise to the people of Selston, Jacksdale and Underwood for misleading them in the leaflet.

Coun Aspinall said: “Within the definition of the law I made a mistake. The issue is not finished with yet - there are other issues around the election still to be resolved.”