A CONSERVATIVE local election candidate has been ordered to correct a claim that he was a solicitor in a campaign leaflet.

The flier from Bradley ward hopeful Mohammad Kaleem standing for Pendle Borough in the May 6 poll prompted a complaint to police from rival Mohammed Iqbal.

Inspector Darren Irving investigated and wrote to the Pendle Council leader saying: " I have confirmed that Mr Kaleem is not a solicitor but a consultant for a law firm. There has been a breach of the law.

"In order to rectify the situation the leaflets describing him as a solicitor have been removed from circulation and a statement is to be put out by him clarifying that he is not a solicitor.

"At this stage I will not be taking any further action."

Mr Iqbal said: "The leaflet has already been delivered to 3,000 households across Bradley so not sure how this will be withdrawn?

"Is he going to issue a public statement and also reissue a correction to the 3,000 homes?

"Also if there’s been a breach of the law how can a decision be made to take no action?"

Pendle Council's Conservative group leader Nadeem Ahmed said: "This was a genuine mistake. It will be corrected in our next leaflet."