A ROW has erupted over a quote featured in a campaign leaflet for the forthcoming county council byelection for the Thornton-le-Dale and Wolds ward.

Greg White, a former county councillor for the Pickering division, claims a comment he made about candidate Michael Beckett has been used out of context and without permission to promote Mr Beckett’s election campaign.

In the leaflet, Mr White is quoted as saying: “Michael is a committed and active citizen, who works hard for the common good and social injustice.”

However, Mr White said: “I was really disappointed to discover that a comment, which I was asked to make about an individual’s work for the North Yorkshire Credit Union on the LinkedIn website, has been cynically misrepresented, out of context and without my permission, to promote their election campaign.

“I am really disappointed that this individual has sought to cynically misrepresent my views in such an outrageous way. I do not support this man and would urge people to put their trust in Janet Sanderson, a candidate with integrity, when they vote on October 27.”

Mr Beckett, said the public quote has not been denied. He said: “The Conservatives are using a loyal member to raise this quibble to distract voters from the Conservative candidate’s voting record, both in favour of selling off part of Manthorpe Park for development, and most recently, in July, voting against the policy and resources committee’s recommendation of a £6k cap for the civic budget.

“Thornton-le-Dale and the Wolds need someone who can fight for a better future, not someone who needs other people to fight their battles for them.

“We need to put local people first.”