THURROCK UKIP have broken their silence over the distribution of a leaflet in a recent by-election which detailed the arrest of the outgoing former Labour councillor over "child porn" images.
Former West Thurrock and South Stifford councillor Terry Brookes stood down from his position as a ward councillor following his arrest. He has been bailed until December and no charges have been proferred.
During the election, the said leaflet was widely distributed around the ward.
YT contacted the Thurrock UKIP director of communications, Jack Duffin, the leader of Thurrock UKIP, cllr Graham Snell and the election agent, cllr Peter Smith in order to clarify "What message they were intending to convey?’
Neither one of them replied to our inquiries.
On the eve of the election, we spoke to cllr Snell in person. We showed him the leaflet and repeated the question. He said: "No comment".
The day after the election, we spoke to the losing candidate, Helen Adams and asked the same question. Mrs Adams said: "You have to speak to Mr Duffin. I won’t comment."
And so we spoke to Mr Duffin. He said: "We have printed off the front page of the (Thurrock) Gazette to use on the doorstep when people are asking why they are going to the ballot box to elect a councillor for the fourth time in 16 months.
"Rather than try and explain the difficult situation we felt it would be best to give them a copy of the Gazette to ensure information is passed over in the fairest manner."
