CLAIMS by prospective Parliamentary candidate Hugh Neil of "vote rigging" have been denied by Hyndburn Conservative Association.

According to Mr Neil only one-tenth of the Association's 400 members were notified of a meeting at Oswaldtwistle Conservative Club when there was a vote of no confidence in his candidacy.

Mr Neil has also claimed the meeting was attended by 20 people from Rossendale Conservative Association who were not eligible to vote and are not members of the Association.

Hyndburn Association treasurer Derek Scholes said letters were sent out to all but 17 members, who had either indicated they wanted no correspondence or were very elderly.

He added that the people from Rossendale were eligible to vote because of new wards which were now within the Hyndburn constituency. According to Mr Neil, some members were so disgusted by his treatment they left and tore up their membership cards.

He added: "This rigged and disgraceful meeting does not reflect the feeling of the majority of the Conservative Association members."

Mr Neil has also claimed his late parents have been insulted and he has been the subject of discrimination.

Jim Foster, a vice-chairman of the Association, who is supporting Mr Neil said it was "pretty disgusting" that a copy had been obtained of the late Coun Mrs Ambrozine Neil's will.

Association deputy chairman Stan Horne denied either of Mr Neil's parents had been insulted.

He said "I believe Coun Mrs Neil was a delightful person and very well respected within the Party," he added.

He understood officers from North West area had obtained a copy of the late Mrs Neil's will following a statement by Mr Neil about an inheritance.

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