Suffolk candidates react to Kevin Craig Labour suspension

Public relations guru Kevin Craig was due to stand as the Labour candidate for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, but placed a bet that the Conservatives would win the seat, which was previously held by Dr Dan Poulter.

On Tuesday evening, it emerged that Mr Craig, a former Labour councillor, admitted making a "huge mistake" and said he had placed the bet a few weeks ago when he thought he had no chance of winning the seat.

In one of his election flyers, Mr Craig, the founder of political lobbying and communications firm PLMR, said: "For the first time in decades, independent polls predict a Labour win here.

"I am asking every local person who wants to end the chaos of this Conservative government to vote Labour this time. Every vote counts."

READ MORE: Suffolk and Ipswich Labour candidate Kevin Craig suspended

Charlie Caiger, who is standing as an independent candidate for the constituency, said he "felt sorry" for Labour party voters who wanted to see a change of government, but were now without a candidate.

However, he contrasted Mr Craig's apology with the Tories' own betting scandal, involving their candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, Craig Williams, who said he had made an "error of judgement, not an offence" as he bet on the date of the general election, July 4.

Mr Williams is under investigation by regulatory body the Gambling Commission over his wager.

Charlie Caiger is standing as an independent candidate in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich (Image: Submitted) Mr Caiger said: "Pretty weird was my initial reaction, as I felt that Kevin had a good chance of winning this seat.

"Then I felt sorry for all of the Labour party supporters who want to see a change of government."

READ MORE: Framlingham news

He said the perception of the Tory government from people he had spoken to on the doorstep while visiting his constituency was one of "sleaze".

"One of the rules of a good government is to be honest, and to act with integrity and leadership (the Nolan principles).

"The Tory party has fallen short in these areas. Kevin Craig has apologised and the Labour party has acted quickly in dealing with the whole issue. It's pretty weird and also a sad affair."

Brett Mickelburgh, the Liberal Democrat candidate for the constituency, said: "Just when you think things couldn't get any worse, the betting scandal goes deeper.

"The local Labour candidate is being investigated over the fact he may have placed a bet that he'll lose the election here."

READ MORE: Suffolk news

"The Tory chaos continues as well, having dropped two of their candidates in their own betting scandal."

"Labour have withdrawn their support for their local candidate, meaning they're out of the race here.

Patrick Spencer is the Conservative candidate (Image: Paul Geater)

"This is now a head to head and the choice is clear - more of the same Conservative chaos or a Fair Deal from myself and the Liberal Democrats."

A voter in the constituency has also spoken of her "disappointment" that she would not be able to vote for a Labour government.

The window for postal votes has already opened, but this newspaper does not have figures for the number of ballot papers that have been returned in the constituency.

The Kesgrave woman had sent off her postal vote for Mr Craig at about 4pm on Tuesday - about an hour before it emerged he had been suspended by Labour.

One of Kevin Craig's election leaflets (Image: Newsquest)

She said: "It is so disappointing. There was a genuine chance for Labour to win this seat and now it appears those chances have been thrown away.

"I submitted my postal vote shortly before the news broke and am now unsure what is happening with it.

"It is such a shame for Labour voters in the area."

A spokesperson for Mid Suffolk District Council, which oversees the election for the constituency, said postal ballots can not now be legally changed, even if a candidate is suspended by a party.

They also cannot be reissued, meaning once a vote has been cast it cannot be changed.

Patrick Spencer, the Conservative candidate for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, was approached for comment.

Reform's Tony Gould, Green Daniel Pratt and independent Mike Hallatt will also contest the seat in July 4's poll.