Tory Admits to Criminal Damage Against Former Cambridgeshire Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate

5.54.34pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 18th Aug 2008

Following the arrest of Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Watford Ian Oakley and his guilty plea on five charges of criminal damage and two charges of harassment towards, amongst others, the former Liberal Democrat candidate for South East Cambridgeshire Sal Brinton, Lib Dem Chair of Campaigns and Communications, Edward Davey MP has demanded that David Cameron holds an urgent inquiry into the procedures and activities of Watford Conservative Party.

Mr Oakley has also asked that 68 similar offences be taken into account.

Sal Brinton who was former Bursar of Selwyn College and a board member of the East of England Development Agency is now the Lib Dem parliamentary spokesperson for Watford.

She and other Liberal Democrats and supporters in Watford endured a sustained campaign of intimidation which was conducted over a period of three years and involved over 150 incidences of criminal damage and harassment.

Jonathan Chatfield the Lib Dem's current parliamentary spokesperson for South East Cambridgeshire said:

"Our previous parliamentary candidate Sal Brinton, Lib Dem members, council candidates and supporters faced a despicable and sustained criminal campaign of intimidation by a prominent Conservative. It is vital that David Cameron takes action to determine why Watford Conservatives failed to investigate the matter properly and to ensure that such an appalling course of events is never repeated."

Sal Brinton said:

"I am relieved that Ian Oakley has pleaded guilty and that the nightmare of the last three years may finally be coming to an end. This has been a traumatic period for all those who have suffered from his vile campaign to defame, intimidate and terrorise people, simply for expressing support for a political party."