Andrew Jones MP has written to Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey urging him to take action against local party members.
Mr Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, listed eight examples of what he claimed to be “appalling behaviour” by Lib Dems in his constituency.
The letter comes after Andrew Timothy, the Lib Dem candidate in next month’s Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone by-election for a seat on North Yorkshire Council, was referred to the police for distributing a leaflet that wrongly stated the Green Party was not standing.
This was one of the eight incidents cited in Mr Jones’ letter. Others include Mr Jones receiving compensation for false Lib Dem claims in 2013, trolling and racism.
The letter to Mr Davey says:
“I am wondering at what stage you might think it appropriate to intervene following the growing evidence that you have an organisation that has totally gone rogue?
“How many more times must statements given by your parliamentary candidate be shown to be false? Do you expect to be repeating his false claims in the House again?
“How many more standards judgements against your councillors are you willing to face? How many more police investigations do you need before you acknowledge there is a deep-seated cultural problem in the local Liberal Democrats?”
The letter goes on to say Mr Davey has not replied to previous letters raising similar concerns, adding “The Speaker has raised your lack of response with your chief whip twice”.
The Stray Ferret has approached Tom Gordon, the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, for a response.
Mr Jones’ letter can be seen in full below or read here.
Read more:
- Andrew Jones MP accuses Lib Dems of covertly targeting his movements
- Sewage in Nidd and Ure: local politicians react to increase
- Harrogate Greens report Lib Dems to police for by-election leaflet
