Labour politician denies branding rival a paedophile » Central Government » 24dash.com

A Labour politician who is accused of making homophobic comments and branding a gay Liberal Democrat rival a paedophile today insisted she was the victim of a political conspiracy.

Miranda Grell, 29, told Waltham Forest Magistrates' Court the allegations were part of a plot orchestrated by the Liberal Democrats against her.

Grell, who stood as a Labour candidate in last year's local election for the Leyton ward in Waltham Forest, east London, was the only Labour victor in the apparently unwinnable Liberal Democrat stronghold.

The court had heard from her running mate Nicholas Russell that Grell had demonstrated a "disgusting homophobic attitude" as she canvassed on the doorsteps of the ward.

The court have also heard that she branded gay Liberal Democrat councillor Barry Smith a paedophile.

Today Grell denied she had told voters that Mr Smith had a young Thai boyfriend and said the allegations against her were motivated by political rivalry.

Grell, originally denied four counts under the Representation of the People's Act 1983 of making false statements about another candidate in order to gain an electoral advantage. Today two of the counts were dropped.

She said: "These are politically motivated allegations by people. I do not know why they have done this but there is a clear connection between them and the Liberal Democrats."

She said the allegation stemmed from unhappiness at her win.

Mr Smith, 56, has a long-term 39-year-old Malaysian partner and served on Waltham Forest Council between 2003 and 2006 before moving to northern England.

He has told the court that during the final weeks of canvassing he noticed a change of mood on the doorstep and people even slammed the door in his face.

In the months after his defeat he was abused, threatened and spat at in the street and on one occasion two men followed him home from a shop and accused him of having sex with children.

Today the court finished hearing evidence from witnesses and the case was adjourned until Friday September 21 when a verdict is expected.

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