THE leader of the borough council has referred to residents in Sherfield-on-Loddon as “curtain twitchers” after some raised concerns about their borough councillor standing in the elections after moving to London.

Commenting on an article on the Gazette website, Cllr Ken Rhatigan supported fellow Conservative councillor Tristan Robinson, who has admitted he moved to London to be with his girlfriend during lockdown, raising questions over his eligibility to stand in the up-coming elections.

He said: “I note there are 4 criteria for allowing a candidate to stand. One of those is that you should be registered to vote in the Local Authority in which you are standing, there seems little doubt that Cllr T Robinson meets that condition.

“Hopefully that will satisfy the curtain twitters in Sherfield as to his continued eligibility to stand in the forthcoming election.” (sic).

Basingstoke Gazette:

His typo was pointed out by another commenter, and Cllr Rhatigan responded to say: “Grateful for the correction.”

Cllr Rhatigan reassured those raising concerns that he believes “the rules have been adhered to”, adding: “I will of course make that call to all concerned to confirm the veracity of candidates, but feel confident that we have an able, active, attentive with Cllr T Robinson to continue to act for his new borough ward”.

As previously reported, Cllr Robinson, who is standing in the elections for Sherborne St John, admitted that he moved to London during the last lockdown for three months, rather than living at the address in Sherfield-on-Loddon which is listed on election documents.

The Electoral Commission states that candidates standing at local election must meet one of four qualifying criteria, which includes living in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the election.

The other criteria are being registered as a local government elector; occupying land or other premises in the local authority area for 12 months before the elections; and working in the local authority area for 12 months before he elections.

Cllr Robinson, who is cabinet member for homes and families, works in West Sussex. The Gazette has asked Cllr Robinson if he meets any of the other criteria but he has not responded.

When asked by the Gazette about moving out of the borough, the 29-year-old admitted that he had been living with his girlfriend in London during the last lockdown for three months.

The government asked everyone to ‘stay at home’ during the last lockdown.

You can read Cllr Robinson’s full statement here.