THE leader of Preston Council has been accused of blackmail electioneering ahead of the St Matthew's ward by-election.

Peter Rankin, leader of the ruling Labour party, has called on opposition parties not to field a candidate in the election, which town hall chiefs ordered - after sitting councillor Veronica Afrin was forced to resign. She had been declared bankrupt over an alleged unpaid VAT bill.

The order has since been annulled but town hall lawyers have insisted the election goes ahead - at a cost of £3,500. Mrs Afrin is standing for reselection to represent Labour in the seat. A decision on who will stand for Labour is due to be made this week. Coun Rankin described the situation as unfortunate and unfair, saying: "It is crazy that Veronica should have to stand down once the bankruptcy order has been annulled.

"I think it is a wasteful expense to the taxpayer so I would ask all other parties not to field candidates."

But his comments have been condemned by political rivals as blackmail.

Paul Malliband, who plans to stand as an independent in the election, said: "This is nothing more than a political smokescreen. Rankin is determined to hang onto his majority in the town hall no matter what.

"If anything, his latest comments have made me all the more determined to stand in this election because this is blackmail."

Joe Hood, leader of the Conservative Party, added: "We will be putting somebody up to stand at the election.

"The by-election is going ahead anyway so it makes no difference. We think Elaine Pugh, who has stood for the seat twice before, will be our representative and we believe we can win."

Bill Chadwick, leader of the Liberal Democrats, added: "Our early impressions are that the people of St Matthew's are delighted to have a by-election because they are fed up with Labour.

"Coun Rankin is only concerned about the political neck of the Labour party."

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