Man stands in elections against cheating father

A Conservative Party councillor’s son is standing against him in the May local elections in England in protest at his extra-marital affair.

Independent candidate Richard Clayton Jnr, 38, wants to unseat his father, also called Richard Clayton, from the Orrell Ward in Wigan, Greater Manchester.

Mr Clayton Snr, 65, raised eyebrows locally after having an affair with former deputy church warden Lorraine Case and moving in with her across the street from the home he shared with his wife.

His son said today: “I don’t think he’s acted correctly. He’s moved across the road. It’s very embarrassing to say the least but everybody has a right to be happy and he’s got the same right.

“I’ve got issues about his conduct and his views.

“He did promise me he wouldn’t stand two years ago. I said: ’If you are going to stand I’ll stand against you.’

“I told him but he didn’t believe me at the time.”

Cllr Peter Franzen, leader of the Community Action Party in Wigan, said local people feel Mr Clayton snr is “rubbing his wife’s nose in it” after moving across the road from her.

“He’s a disgrace,” he said. “He should resign.”

A Wigan Conservative councillor, who declined to be named, also suggested Mr Clayton Snr should resign.

He said: “It’s damaging to the party and to local voters and may put them off coming to vote. People will think it’s all about Tory sleaze.”

Mr Clayton jnr is a green energy business adviser and has a two-year-old son.

He said: “The amount of support I’ve got has made me determined to make a good go of this election.

“I think it’s time somebody different came in.”

He pledged to address the closure of the library, poor health services and improve recycling rates.

He said his father wished him luck, adding: “Everybody has a right to be nominated. Good luck to him. I’ve not fallen out with him. I’m not happy with his behaviour but he’s still my father at the end of the day.

“I’ve not gone into this to humiliate him. I’ve a right to stand just as anybody else has.”

His mother Marjorie Clayton, 63, declined to reveal her voting intentions today.

She said she backed her son, saying: “I hope he does well but I’ve no influence in that. I think he’s done it for his own reasons. The other part of it is private.”

She confirmed that her estranged husband has moved across the road to live with a woman called Lorraine Case.

Mr Clayton Snr could not be reached for comment.