HINDSFORD councillor Robert Bleakley has pledged to fight on following criticism over the 'council house' election row.

Last week, Labour agent Charles Hopkinson called on the Lib Dem councillor to resign and fight a fair election campaign after he was carpeted by the council's Policy Committee.

Cllr Bleakley (pictured) sensationally beat veteran Labour housing chief Sam Little in May. A last minute election leaflet alleging council house favouritism was referred to the council chief executive, Steven Jones, who last week found there to be no substance in allegations. The matter is to be referred to the council's new Standards Committee.

But Cllr Bleakley told The Journal after Mr Hopkinson's demand: "They wouldn't resign and I'm not.

"It's the sort of call you would expect from all the New Labour, middle-class trendies.

"And I won't resign because of all the tremendous phone calls of support from throughout the Hindsford Ward and the rest of the borough.

"I even had one call from a Tyldesley East Labour Party member telling me to stick to my guns."

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