Council candidate 'spread paedophile lies about rival'

A "desperately ambitious" east London Labour politician ousted a Liberal Democrat rival in local council elections after claiming he was a paedophile, a court has heard.

Miranda Grell, 29, wept as she was accused of telling one prospective voter her opponent was "dirty" and "sleeping with Thai boys".

Another told police she allegedly said Barry Smith had a "14-year-old boyfriend".

London's Snaresbrook Crown Court heard, however, that the allegations were untrue.

Although gay, highly-respected Mr Smith, who had held Waltham Forest's Leyton ward for four years, had in fact been in a long-term relationship with a 38-year-old Malaysian partner. The couple had recently undergone a civil partnership ceremony, the court heard.

But following the "unpleasant and false" remarks about him, the councillor said he noticed an unusual lack of warmth from constituents.

And when they went to the polls in May last year, what had been regarded as a Lib Dem stronghold fell to Labour for the first time in 12 years.

Grell, of Lyttleton Road, Waltham Forest, is appealing against her conviction on two counts under the Representation of the People Act 1983 of making false statements about another candidate to gain electoral advantage.

Local magistrates fined her £1,000 and ordered her to pay £3,000 costs.

Her bid to clear her name has delayed a by-election ordered in the ward she won.

Don't miss the 24dash.com audio bulletins for the latest news and information - http://www.24dash.com/podcasts