Seymour defends file handover

Published in From the Milton Keynes Citizen - Published Date: 19 April 2007 on Sat 21st Apr 2007

Pat Hands Over

LIBERAL Democrats have moved quickly to dispel criticism over an election leaflet photo showing a quitting councillor handing over files to a party candidate.

Voter Pat Townsend expressed alarm after seeing the picture of Sherington ward's Pat Seymour piling "casework" folders into the arms of Sam Potts, whom she hopes will be elected to succeed her on May 3.

"Surely this is a disgraceful breach of confidence when you consider people have asked their elected representative for help, only for their files to be handed over to a young man who many not even be elected," Pat Townsend said.#

But Cllr Seymour, standing down to spend more time with her family, said the files contained only general information, such as parish council minutes, planning reports, and issues about cycle paths.

"There was nothing personal or relating to named persons," she said.

#Web editors note: Mrs Townsend is the mother of one of the local Tory MPs Researchers!