Guido

I stood against Bob as Labour candidate in Castle Point in 2005 and with my LD counterpart exposed his "send them back" advert nationally.

I deplore his views on Europe and immigration but would defend his personal integrity.

He was threatened with deselection not because of his views on national issues but because he offended powerful local business interests in the building trade by opposing planning applications that were not in the interests of his constituents.

He has made allegations of political corruption in Castle Point that chime with what local residents told me on the doorstep and need proper investigation by both the public authorities and the Tory Party.

Luke Akehurst