Will the Tories lose more seats in Mid Devon? – Owl

Councillors in Tiverton have been warned they may face prosecution. Clerk, John Vanderwolfe reminded members of Purdah rules in a recent email. The rules state that councillors must also not use the council’s own social media accounts or blog platforms during this time.

Lewis Clarke www.devonlive.com 

Purdah rules also means local authorities should not publish any material which, in whole, or in part, appears to be designed to affect public support for a political party. The council can still issue media releases on factual matters provided that these do not identify individual councillors or groups of councillors.

Councillors are still free to respond to enquiries received from the media in a personal capacity. Individual councillors can issue their own statements, write letters to the local newspaper(s) for publication, contact the media directly or say what they like in a personal capacity, but must not use council resources to do so.

In an email to members, John Vanderwolfe said: “Please note that the use of social media for political or election purposes during the period known as Purdah is illegal, and indeed could result in prosecution. Leaflets are permitted providing they contain the required information on them about who is publishing and printing the material.

“Unfortunately, I have already received a complaint that one of you has allegedly broken the purdah code, and on viewing the Facebook item I actually agree with them. Whilst there are grey areas the best policy is not to put anything like that on social media until after the election.

“I know that many of you do keep within the guidelines, so this message is a reminder, but a warning to those who have broken the guidelines to exercise more care.”