Lib Dems want 'vile campaign' probe

The Liberal Democrats have called for David Cameron to hold an urgent inquiry after a former Tory candidate admitted a campaign of harassment against his rivals.

Ian Oakley pleaded guilty to five charges of criminal damage and two counts of harassment against Liberal Democrats in Watford at St Albans Magistrates Court.

In a letter to party leader Mr Cameron, Lib Dem chair of campaigns and communications, Edward Davey urged him to look into the "vile campaign".

He said: "This was a disgraceful and criminal campaign aimed at intimidating candidates and voters and subverting the democratic process.

"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."

He called for Mr Cameron to launch an immediate investigation into the Watford Conservative Party to determine whether other members were involved, how the party had not uncovered the campaign, and why it failed to properly investigate.

He also urged the Tories to carry out a review of their selection process "to ensure that such obviously unsuitable individuals are no longer selected as Conservative candidates."

Oakley, 31, of Ryeland Close, West Drayton, north west London, also asked for 68 other offences to be taken into account.

The court heard the then Watford prospective parliamentary candidate embarked on a hate campaign against Lib Dem rivals Sal Brinton and Russell Willson.

He sent gay and lesbian magazines to Ms Brinton at her home and work addresses and made silent phone calls to her between August 2006 and March this year.

Letters addressed to "Sal Bitchton" were also sent to her workplace and supporters were urged to "dump" her as candidate.

His campaign against Mr Willson from February to May this year included daubing graffiti on his home, saying "scum scum perv".

He was originally selected as Tory candidate for Watford in 2006. The seat is currently held by Labour.

Oakley resigned as prospective parliamentary candidate for Watford on July 20, shortly after his arrest.

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