Axed Tory subject of complaints by women at council

Coun Naylor initially stated an intention to appeal over his failure to be re-selected, the local party also felt unable to discuss potential reasons why he was de-selected for fear of prejudicing any future hearing.

But this month Coun Naylor abandoned the appeal process and, with a bitter campaign now raging for the Craven ward, a Tory spokesman today released a statement.

The spokesman said: “All Conservative candidates, including sitting councillors, are required to be approved to go on a candidate list of suitable persons prior to each set of elections. Candidates approved to go on the list can then apply to represent a specific ward.

“It is quite likely that those who made the decision not to include Coun Naylor on the approved list of people suitable to stand as Conservative candidates were aware of the alleged behaviour by Coun Naylor towards senior female staff, which ultimately resulted in the meeting between him, his legal representative and the chief executive and city solicitor.

“It may well, therefore, have influenced the decision that Coun Naylor was not suitable to stand in the name of the Conservative Party.”

Coun Ellis also said he had not seen the document signed by Coun Naylor, but confirmed the meeting had taken place in February last year, and who had been present.

A Bradford Council spokesman said it had nothing to add to its Freedom of Information Act response.

The battle for the Craven ward has turned into a bitter fight following Coun Naylor’s de-selection, culminating in Tory candidate Andrew Rowley being ejected from the public gallery at a meeting of Silsden Town Council.

Mr Rowley, who lives in Shipley, was asked to leave by council chairman Christopher Atkinson, who claimed he could not attend because he was not on the electoral roll for Silsden. Coun Atkinson is the election agent for Coun Naylor.

The Public Bodies (Admission of Meetings) Act 1960 states that town and parish councils must admit members of the public to their meetings.

Other candidates standing in the Craven ward are Val Carroll for Labour, Stuart Ebden for the Liberal Democrats and Robert Nicholls for the Greens.