Wolverhampton City Council candidate faces trial over address claim

Gurcharan Bedi withdrew as Labour's candidate in Spring Vale ahead of Wolverhampton City Council elections in May after it was revealed he did not live in Hilton Road, as his official nomination papers said.

The 58-year-old, who lives in Henwood Road, in Tettenhall Wightwick ward, has denied trying to deprive another of a vote or gain a vote by making a false statement in connection with an application for a postal ballot paper. He also denied making a false statement concerning his address on his nomination papers.

If convicted he faces up to two years jail. District Judge Ian Strongman told Birmingham Magistrates Court that the case should be heard at the city's crown court and said: "This matter is of significant public interest."

Bedi will stand trial on April 9 and has been granted unconditional bail.

The court heard that he previously stood as Labour's candidate in Spring Vale in the 2011 local elections.

However, he failed to unseat Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Heap who held on by a majority of 41 votes.

Miss Gemma Carsey, prosecuting, said that it was alleged that Bedi had attempted to gain a postal vote for his second attempt at winning a seat in 2012 by declaring that he lived in the property in Hilton Road, which he owns and was renting out.

Mr David Campbell, defending, said: "This all stems from a misunderstanding on the part of Mr Bedi. There was no harm to the public."

Labour chose a replacement candidate after Mr Bedi stood down once the discrepancy on his nomination papers came to light.

Bedi's daughter, Payal, was elected a Labour councillor for the East Park ward in May this year. The Liberal Democrats held on to the Spring Vale seat with Councillor Richard Whitehouse winning by a majority of 216.

Councillor Whitehouse subsequently left the Liberal Democrat group and currently sits as a Liberal Independent.