THE son of a Tory councillor is standing against his father in the May 1 local elections in revenge for him leaving his mother.

Coun Richard Clayton, 65, who has represented Orrell in Wigan for four years, has left his wife of 40 years Marjorie, 65, to live with divorcee Lorraine Case, 46, a former churchwarden.

The couple are now living together across the road from Coun Clayton's former martial home.

His son, also called Richard, 38, will contest the Orrell ward against his father as an independent candidate.

Wigan Conservatives however are taking legal advice about a challenge as both have given the same address for their candidature.

Richard jnr, a green energy business advisor, said today he was `worried about his father's behaviour' and admitted he was `partially' battling his father at the polls in protest against his conduct. He also accused the Tories of `harassing' his mother to force him to withdraw.

Richard, a former Wigan Rugby League junior and Orrell Rugby Union senior player, said: "I was already concerned about how my father's behaviour related to the councillor's Code of Conduct and the decision by him to cross the road and move in with this woman was the icing on the cake which helped make up my mind to stand.

Discrediting

"The Conservative Party has subsequently been trying to come up with ways of discrediting me and my electoral campaign and I will be very surprised if they don't put in an objection, but I am not the one who has done anything wrong.

"I wasn't comfortable with certain things about my father's moral conduct as a councillor and the way the Conservative Party branch has responded when they were voiced to them and to the people above them at the regional Conservative Office.

"I did say at the time to my father that if he didn't agree to stand down voluntarily because of this I would stand against him as an independent. I don't think he believed me at that time although now he knows I was always serious about it.

"Getting to my mother and asking her to try and persuade me not to stand is a disgraceful tactic because I am an adult and know my own mind. I just don't appreciate that kind of behaviour and that makes me all the more determined to do well in the election."

Coun Clayton said he was `sad and disappointed' that his son had decided to stand against him.

He said his personal life shouldn't be a factor in the elections.

He said: "I am saddened that Richard is using the electoral system to settle a family dispute. I am sorry if my actions have hurt other people but I sincerely hope that the people of Orrell will only judge me on my record of service to the local community of Orrell.

"The correct place to resolve this dispute is behind closed doors within the family and not in the full glare of the public during the course of the local election campaign."

Mike Barnes (Labour) and Charles Mather (BNP) will also contest the seat.

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