Council leader hits out after being cleared of electoral malpractice

The Leader of Warrington Borough Council, Cllr Russ Bowden, has been unanimously cleared this week (2 May) of allegations of electoral malpractice.

Cllr Bowden was charged in November 2021 with one count of providing a false statement in nomination papers (contrary to Section 65A of the Representation of the People Act 1983) and three counts of providing false information to a registration officer (contrary to section 13D of the Representation of the People Act 1983).

According to the Warrington Guardian, the alleged offences involved him providing his home address as a house in Birchwood on April 6, 2021, while standing at the 2021 full council elections, when he was instead reportedly living at a property in Lower Walton.

However he was living in Lower Walton temporarily due to marital difficulties the court heard and had now returned to Birchwood.

Cllr Bowden’s barrister Tanveer Qureshi told the court on Friday that the defendant was only absent on a temporary basis and always planned to return.

In a statement outside Liverpool Crown Court after being cleared, Cllr Bowden said: “I have always had a clear conscience in relation to these unfounded allegations but today’s outcome enables my name and reputation to remain intact.

“Sadly there are those whose political motivations have led them to try and exploit this case in order to cast doubt on me as a person, attempting to undermine my leadership of Warrington Borough Council and our Labour-led council itself, regardless of the reputational damage and negative perception it causes to our town.

“It has been stressful and deeply upsetting for my family to have this hanging over me for almost two years. Throughout this case, I have always maintained that my permanent home address was the same address that I have lived at for 27 years. The idea that my permanent home address would suddenly change because I moved out temporarily was and will remain entirely misconceived."

Cllr Bowden added: “This case should never have been brought to court. One month before the trial the CPS conceded that they had applied the wrong legal test and having made that concession they failed to and should have properly reviewed the case. The law is clear: home address is based on an individual’s personal circumstances. I have always maintained my innocence and today’s unanimous verdict by the jury demonstrates the truth of what I have been saying should never have been doubted.”

A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: “We are pleased that the trial has now concluded and will continue to work alongside the council’s cabinet members and leader to deliver the services that matter to our residents.”