A PRELIMINARY investigation has been conducted into claims a Davyhulme councillor complained a man ‘shouldn’t be voting’ in last week’s local elections because he had learning difficulties.


The claim was made by the MP for Stretford and Urmston, Kate Green, and Labour councillors, but has been strongly refuted by the Conservative group.


It is alleged that Conservative councillor, June Reilly – who hung onto her Davyhulme West seat by less than 90 votes following the election count last Friday– made the comments at the Woodhouse Primary School polling station on Thursday evening, after a man with learning difficulties asked polling station staff how to vote.


However, leader of the council and the ruling Conservative group, Cllr Sean Anstee, has labelled Labour’s claims ‘wholly inaccurate’.


Cllr Anstee said: “Cllr Reilly took appropriate action by alerting polling station staff to the situation, who then assisted the voter to be able to independently complete their ballot.”


He added: “This is an outrageous attempt by the Trafford Labour party, clearly rattled that they were unable to win Davyhulme West ward, to cling on to an untrue statement made by one of their activists.”


Returning officer for Trafford and chief executive at Trafford Council, Theresa Grant, said: “I can confirm that I have conducted a preliminary investigation into reports of an incident at a polling station in Trafford on May 22.


“Having spoken to the polling station inspector and read reports from staff present at the time, I have not found any evidence to support the allegations which have been made against a Conservative candidate.


“I am also satisfied that all polling station staff acted entirely properly in the circumstances.”