Councillor axed by Tories attacks ‘cynical election ploy’

Adrian Naylor, a former cabinet member at Bradford Council under the previous Tory-led administration, was controversially axed by the Keighley and Ilkley Conservative Association ahead of next week’s elections. He is now standing as an independent.

Yesterday, a Tory spokesman told the Yorkshire Post that Coun Naylor was called into a meeting in February last year with chief officers, following allegations by senior female staff about his behaviour. The spokesman said the selection committee was “quite likely” to be aware of “alleged behaviour by Coun Naylor towards senior female staff”.

Last night Coun Naylor dismissed the claim as “a cynical attempt to influence the outcome of this election”.

“I attended and was a willing participant at a meeting with the chief executive, the monitoring officer, Coun Michael Ellis and my legal representative to discuss an issue of perception regarding one female member of staff and how that may be potentially misinterpreted,” he said. “While the matter discussed at the meeting was confidential, it is important to note there was no need to deal further with this matter as it was resolved to everyone’s satisfaction at that meeting.

“I believe that neither the Conservative Party nationally nor the local Keighley Conservative Association are responsible for the press release and I am awaiting confirmation of this point from them. This press release is factually inaccurate.

“If this matter had been as serious as these individuals seek to suggest, the short point is there would clearly have been further investigation. This was not the case and I categorically deny any wrongdoing.”

Coun Naylor added: “The anonymous spokesman speculates that this issue may have influenced the members of the selection panel. This is pure speculation as the Keighley Association Chair has repeatedly confirmed that the ballot was secret and no reasons have ever been given to me about my de-selection.”

Keighley and Ilkley MP Kris Hopkins, who led Bradford Council when Coun Naylor was in the cabinet, said had he been aware of any formal complaints he would have immediately ordered an investigation.