Mike Carr.
MIKE Carr, the Liberal Democrat candidate for the West Wight Isle of Wight Council by-election, has been de-selected by the party days before the poll.
An investigation prompted by an anonymous e-mail, suggesting Mr Carr had wrongly withdrawn money from the bank account of The Needles Lodge of the Freemasons. The money is now being paid back.
The e-mail about Mr Carr, a retired schoolteacher and ex special police constable, was sent to leading members of his party and to the press.
Asked on Tuesday by the County Press if this was true, Mr Carr, who is the former treasurer of the lodge, said: "Yes and no. It depends on one’s interpretation."
However, a fellow member of his former lodge, who did not wish to be named in the paper, said Mr Carr was no longer welcome at the lodge.
In a statement, Mr Carr’s election agent, Bob Blezzard, said when Mr Carr was adopted the party had been unaware of the situation that had come to light.
"As a result of this information, the Liberal Democrat Party no longer supports Mike Carr’s candidacy for the Isle of Wight Council," said Mr Blezzard, who has written to the returning officer to that effect.
Mr Carr said he had now withdrawn his candidacy but he was devastated at having to do so.
The by-election will be on November 17 but, because of the late withdrawal, Mr Carr’s name will still be on the ballot paper.
• Full story in the Friday, November 4, County Press.
Reporter: suep@iwcpmail.co.uk