A row has erupted in the Shetland branch of the Conservative Party after a candidate claimed he was put forward for selection without his consent.
Thomas Williamson, who is one of four candidates standing in the Lerwick North ward, said last month that he had been “brainwashed” by the party into standing – and was quoted this week as saying he doesn’t want anyone to vote for him.
Local branch chairman Maurice Mullay confirmed that both Williamson and fellow Tory Isobel Johnson, a Shetland North hopeful, are both ‘paper candidates’ put forward by the party to ensure it had some representation in the election.
This meant that the candidates were not formally required to “actively” campaign.
With only three candidates due to be selected from Lerwick North, Malcolm Bell, John Fraser and Stephen Leask would have been automatically elected if Williamson was not standing as the ward would have been uncontested.
But Mr Mullay said he witnessed Williamson signing paperwork in person confirming his intention to stand for council.
“Tom had spoken to people from central office,” Mullay said. “He agreed to stand as a Conservative paper candidate, so he didn’t have to get actively involved with campaigning etc.
“They sent the papers to me, the deadline was quite tight. I took them along and I explained to Tom that he didn’t have to do this by any means, but he said he agreed to do it. He signed the papers and I witnessed his signature.”
Mullay said he made Williamson aware of the responsibilities involved in standing for council, including the interest from the media.
He said putting forward paper candidates was common on the UK mainland and the practice “reduces the risk of candidates from other parties being elected unopposed”.
It also ensures that the “total party vote for the council, or nation, is maximised”.
Both Williamson and Johnson were unavailable for comment when contacted.