TRAFFORD’S deputy returning officer has stood down from her role in the Mayoral election days before the vote after ‘endorsing’ a candidate on Twitter – whilst seemingly bashing another.

Joanne Hyde retweeted a tweet in support of Conservative candidate Sean Anstee, who is currently leader of Trafford Council, a week before the mayoral election.

The tweet that was retweeted by Ms Hyde read: ‘[I] Know Labour voters in Manchester who’ve voted for @seananstee – one lives in Leigh, Burnham’s constituency, she said #Never Burnham,” and included Mr Anstee’s campaign video.

Mr Anstee and Mr Burnham are both in the running to become Manchester’s first elected mayor, with the vote taking place tomorrow, Thursday May 4.

And as deputy returning officer, Ms Hyde, who is also a senior officer at Trafford Council, is heavily involved in the Mayoral election process.

She is delegated work from the returning officer – Trafford Council chief executive Theresa Grant – who is in charge of conducting elections in the borough, supervising the counting of votes and announcing the results.

After a complaint was made to the council about the retweet, Ms Hyde stepped down from her role in the upcoming election.

A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: “A representation has been made to Trafford’s returning officer regarding a senior officer of the council who is also a deputy returning officer for the mayoral elections.

"The representation is in regard to the officer’s apparent endorsement on social media of a candidate standing in the mayoral election.

“Following a review of the representation made, the council’s returning officer is satisfied that the officer had not knowingly endorsed the candidate.

"In the interests of ensuring public confidence in the election process is maintained, the officer has offered to step down from their role of deputy returning officer for this election and this has been accepted.