Sowerby Bridge News

Hebden Royd Councillor Accused Of Election Smears

Cllr Susan Press, the Labour Party representative for Fairfield Ward at Hebden Royd Town Council and Yorkshire Post journalist, has this week been accused of conducting a smear campaign against her parliamentary candidacy rival Steph Booth.

A Labour Party member for over 30 years and national Vice-Chair of the Labour Representation Committee, Ms. Press was subject to allegations relating to damaging newspaper articles in the Daily Mail and Yorkshire Post newspapers, and local ‘behind the scenes’ activity to discredit Mrs. Booth.

Shortly after losing to Mrs. Booth in her bid to become the prospective parliamentary candidate for the Labour Party in the Calder Valley, articles which alleged vote-rigging and impropriety begun to appear in local and national press, such as the Yorkshire Post and Daily Mail.

Speaking on the Labour Representation Committee blog, one commentator said;

“you really should come clean about the purpose of this blog. Which is to try and smear Steph as much as possible to exact some pathetic revenge because neither you nor your mate Janet [Oosthuysen]won the selection. A childish, spiteful vendetta, that’s what it is and most people can see it.”

Whilst others asked;

“Did you not give this story to a journalist at the Yorkshire Post who then handed it on to the Mail?”

“Can you not see what you’re doing? Absolutely treacherous IMO. Are you TRYING to provide the means in your area for a TORY victory there and nationally?”

It is understood by this website that Ms. Press intends to play no part in assisting Steph Booth’s campaign to become elected as Calder Valley MP in 2010, withdrawing her support entirely and encouraging others in the local Labour Party branch to do likewise.