Row over Fremington candidate's campaign photograph
LOCAL councillor Wayne Silver has complained about being in a photograph which appears on the front of a county council candidate s election leaflet. He claims it suggests he endorses Independent candidate Rodney Cann for the Fremington Rural seat in the
LOCAL councillor Wayne Silver has complained about being in a photograph which appears on the front of a county council candidate's election leaflet.
He claims it suggests he endorses Independent candidate Rodney Cann for the Fremington Rural seat in the county election tomorrow (Thursday).
Mr Cann, the sitting councillor, was de-selected as a Conservative candidate earlier this year and Mr Silver says he is supporting new Tory candidate John Gill.
"I was quite shocked to see my picture on the front cover of Councillor Cann's campaign literature," said Mr Silver, a member of Fremington Parish Council.
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"It was taken at Fremington's new play park, which is a credit to all of us who have been involved. I thought the pictures would be sent to the local press to advertise what can be achieved when people work together."
Frank Biederman, who chaired the community group behind the play park, is also in the photograph along with other people, including children.
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He said he knew the photograph was being taken for Mr Cann. It was taken by a local police community support officer using Mr Cann's own camera.
"If I had been anti-Rodney, I would not have been in the picture with him," he said.
"Without Rodney's support, we would not have had the facility we have got today. He was instrumental in getting �60,000 from Devon County Council and a further �9,000 from North Devon Council.
"We had superb support from all the local politicians. I wanted the park to be a community thing, not used as a political football."
Mr Cann said he was baffled by Mr Silver's complaint.
"It was made quite clear that the picture was being taken for my election address," he said. "He is sitting with a group of other people, including three children, but he is not named at all.
