Statement regarding former candidate’s arrest

A former member of our party was arrested on five counts of child sex offences, as published by Essex Police (https://www.essex.police.uk/news/essex/news/news/2024/december/shoebury-child-sex-offences/) and subsequently reported by Essex Live last week (https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/southend-dj-who-hosts-childrens-9784599.amp)

I never thought a few friends starting a party would have us face questions on something as serious as this.

The sexual abuse of children is an abhorrence of the very highest order and it is to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. I know of people who have been victims of these crimes and they have found it a lifelong journey to learn to live with it how best they can.

The other side of this is the destruction of people’s lives due to false allegations or a mis-representation of the facts.

As it stands, no one yet knows the truth of the matter and we must wait for the legal process to come to its own conclusion. Yet, an arrest has been made so no doubt there will be questions regarding our vetting process.

Unlike other parties where their leaders cannot personally select members and candidates, I can and do. I am personally responsible.

In most cases, the first thing I do is either speak on the phone or meet with the potential new member. We chat about their values and ambitions and see whether they connect to Confelicity’s.

If they like the idea of local people running things and share values of kindness, compassion, integrity, freedom of speech and democracy then we agree together their new found membership.

It wasn’t quite the same in Michael’s case as I’d known of him for decades having attended the same schools in Southend. He had an unblemished record personally and professionally, and I was delighted that he joined us. In the two local elections he stood in he’d achieved the highest number of votes and was a popular member of Confelicity.

To my disappointment he left the party over a year and a half ago for personal reasons, which he did not disclose at the time, but knowing what we know now it was indeed the right thing to do.

Although I have my opinions, now is not the time to express them so as not to muddy the investigation in any shape or form.

In truth this case has nothing to do with myself or the party, but it is perfectly acceptable for questions to be asked of us to clarify the situation - and I hope I have done this.

My sincere sympathies go out to all those affected and hope they receive the right support around them to get through what must be an extremely traumatic period of their lives.