Pub Date: November 30 2002

Subj: Watchdog alert over expenses

Author: Andrew Baldwin,

A WATCHDOG has expressed concern after a pro-cannabis campaigner failed to submit election expense returns.

Philip Lockwood, who stood in Calder Valley, is among 28 candidates who failed to send back their records after last year's General Election.

The Electoral Reform Society hit out over the possible breaches of election expense laws.

Its chief executive, Kevin Ritchie, said: "Breaking these laws may not only call into question the outcome of the election, but also damages public trust in the democratic processes."

Mr Lockwood, of Back Charles Street, Waring Green, Brighouse, was one of six candidates in Calder Valley. He stood for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance and came bottom of the poll - but picked up 672 votes.

Mr Lockwood announced his candidature a month after being sentenced to 12 months' probation at Bradford Crown Court for cultivating cannabis.

He said he grew it to use in combatting depression.

He could not be contacted for comment today.

The Electoral Reform Society said the current laws had been in place since 1983. There was no excuse they were new and unknown.

The Electoral Commission is recommending no further action.

But the society said it was up to the prosecuting authorities to make the final decision as to whether a prosecution was in the public interest.