Craig Williams to still stand as Independent
Mr Williams is embroiled in a betting scandal, and is under investigation after placing a wager on a July election date three days before it was announced.
The Conservative party withdrew its support this morning, meaning he is no longer considered as their candidate despite appearing on the ballot paper on July 4, because it is too late to change.
And this afternoon, the Llanfair Caereinion resident has declared he will still be campaigning as an Independent, saying he has “committed an error in judgment, not an offence”.
Headlined “my message to you”, Mr Williams said on his Facebook page that he will continue to campaign and is expected to appear at a hustings in Montgomery tonight.
Meanwhile, Emma Palmer, Acting Returning Officer for Powys County Council, confirmed that she has no legal powers to “amend a ballot paper or stop an election in these circumstances. Everything must continue as planned in line with electoral law”.
As we have previously reported, the council also confirmed in a statement clarifying: “If a candidate who has had party support withdrawn is elected, the result stands. They take office in the usual way and can either serve as an independent Member of Parliament, join a political party or resign the seat.
“If an MP changes party affiliation a by-election is not automatically triggered. If they chose to resign, a by-election would be held. If they wanted to, they would be able to stand in the by-election as an independent candidate or for another political party.”
The full statement issued by Mr Williams this afternoon:
“I remain on the ballot paper for the 4th of July and I hope to secure your support after years of delivery.
“I have committed an error in judgment, not an offence, and I want to reiterate my apology directly to you.
“I am fully cooperating with the routine enquiries for the Gambling Commission and I intend to clear my name.
“In all these things, due process is important as that’s what sets the UK apart from other countries and the commission must be allowed to do its work. It’s been a privilege for me to be the Member of Parliament for the constituency where I was born, raised and now live with my young family.
“I have been working hard helping thousands of constituents with our team from everything from benefits to housing, from potholes to energy bills as well as securing unprecedented levels of investment in our local businesses, communities and high streets.
“Finally, sticking up for farmers because without farmers there is no food, and without food there is no future.
“For now, however, the most important thing I want to say to you today is I’m committed to my campaign to be elected as your Member of Parliament and staunch champion.
“Finally, a huge thank-you to everyone that’s reached out to come up to the office and still continues to lend me your support this week and today.
“It’s now over to you, the electorate of Montgomeryshire & Glyndwr. It’s your decision. You’re the ones that matter on the 4th of July.”
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