Savile supporter second in local election vote

A local election candidate who claimed Jimmy Savile was "an innocent man" and "a working-class hero" was 55 votes away from becoming a councillor after coming second in his division.

Stephen Hartley ran as a Reform UK candidate for Banbury Hardwick in the Oxfordshire County Council local elections, which took place last Thursday.

However, he was suspended from the party less than 24 hours after the list of candidates was published, after it was made aware of historic tweets where Mr Hartley defended the prolific sex offender.

Despite his suspension, Mr Hartley would have still been listed as a Reform UK candidate on the ballot paper because he was suspended after close of nominations.

Labour candidate Andrew Richton, who already represents the Banbury Hardwick ward on Cherwell District Council, was elected councillor for the county division with 567 votes.

Sean Woodcock, Labour MP for Banbury, said: "I'm delighted that the people of Hardwick, where I grew up, have elected Andrew Crichton to be their county councillor.

"Andrew already has a proven record as a champion of the community there and will continue to ensure the area's interests are represented at County Hall."

Mr Hartley came a close second with 512 votes.

In April 2022 he said on X: "The established elite don't like a self-made man, a working class hero. Saville was one, Putin is another. So they make up horrible lies about them and let the media do the rest."

In a post from February 2022 he called Savile "a role model of mine", while in a separate post he claimed he was a "scapegoat".

The tweets prompted outrage from local politicians when they were unearthed in early April.

Mr Woodcock said Mr Hartley should be "nowhere near public office with such appalling views", ahead of his suspension.

Oxfordshire County Council leader Liz Leffman added that his views were "unacceptable" and that it was "shocking" that Reform allowed him to be a candidate, while leader of the Green group Ian Middleton called his comments "sick and twisted".

Mr Hartley stood by his claims when contacted for comment last month.

Oliver Perara, the Conservative candidate, received 430 votes, while Chris Nelson (Green) got 146 votes, Christophe Aramini (Lib Dem) 170, Simon Garrett (Independent) 98, and nine ballots were rejected.

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.