City councillor jailed for lying about address

A former councillor has been jailed for two months after admitting giving a false address in order to win a safe Conservative seat.

Richard Smalley was elected to Derby City Council in May for the Allestree ward. However, it emerged that he had filled in an electoral form saying he lived in Allestree, when he correct address was in Borrowash which lies outside the Derby city boundary.

Smalley providing a false address to an elections officer.

The cost to the public purse of the by-election fraud is expected to run to £30,000.

Janie Berry, Derby’ Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer said: “Derby City Council acknowledges the outcome of the matter before the Magistrate Court today with regard to Mr Richard Smalley.

“Mr Smalley pleaded guilty to the charge put before him, namely ‘Supplying False Information to the Electoral Registration officer’ under s13D Representation of the People Act.

Richard Smalley

“The Council continues to proactively and robustly investigate all complaints relating to elections. Our excellent working relationship with Derbyshire Constabulary has resulted in this matter being put before the Court that clearly demonstrates our continued commitment to complete transparency in all matters related to elections in the city.

“The Council continues to work diligently to ensure that the people of Derby are reassured about the integrity of all of our election processes.”

Tom Hawthorn, head of policy at the Electoral Commission said: “The Electoral Commission works with the police and local authorities across the UK before each set of elections to support them putting robust procedures in place to tackle electoral fraud.

“This case demonstrates that allegations of electoral fraud are taken extremely seriously. Derby City Council and Derby Constabulary have shown that the police and local authorities can and will work together to act on evidence of wrongdoing.”

Berry added: “With regard to the matter of the compensation application, the resignation of Mr Smalley shortly after the local elections in May 2016 will result in a by-election in the ward of Allestree. The administration and proper delivery of that by-election comes at a cost to the Council and local tax-payers. The sum of £30,000 is one that the Council believes adequately covers those costs and that it was reasonable to ask that the sum, or a contribution to the costs, be recovered from Mr Smalley in this instance.

“The Council acknowledges the Court’s decision in respect of compensation and I will be reviewing the Council’s decision in due course.”

Smalley had previously served on the council between 2002 and 2008 in a different ward and had become involved in politics again in 2015. He was elected in May with 2,820 vites and became deputy leader of the Conservative group on Derby City Council.

He resigned following growing rumours on Facebook.