Judges dismiss petitions challenging county council elections in Cumbria

Councils in Cumbria have defeated two election petitions, which sought to challenge the conduct of last year’s Cumbria County Council elections in the Allerdale borough.

One petition was brought over postal vote issues in the Maryport South division, while that in the Moss Bay and Moorclose division challenged the returning officer’s decision not to offer a recount to an independent candidate who lost to Labour by 20 votes.

Mr Justice Supperstone and Mr Justice Jay, sitting at the Royal Courts of Justice, ruled that neither petitioner had complied with the relevant legal requirements and dismissed their petitions, with costs awarded to the returning officer.

Allerdale ran the elections on behalf of Cumbria, whose chief executive Diane Wood said: “I am delighted at the outcome, but disappointed that we have been obliged to go through this distracting and diverting process. It is now time for everyone to move on.

“I am confident that the local elections held in these two divisions last year were robust and fair.”