TELFORD CANDIDATE SUSPENDED FOR ASSAULT CONVICTION
Connor Furnival had been selected to contest the Nedge ward on Telford and Wrekin Council for the Conservatives on May 7.However, he was suspended by the party after it emerged he had pleaded guilty to common assault at Telford Magistrates Court on February 12.
He received a two-year community order, which requires him to complete a counselling program and 80 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.
Additionally, he was subjected to an indefinite restraining order banning him from contacting his ex-girlfriend.
Mr.
Furnival explained that he argued with his girlfriend during an incident on January 17 and claimed he only shoved her on the shoulder, denying hitting her.
He stated, "I argued with my ex-partner early in January and I gave her a shove on one shoulder.
The argument was heated but other than the shove – I did not touch her.
I have never hit her.
She has never claimed that I hit her.
I deeply regret the incident.
I went voluntarily to the police on January 23 to make a statement and admitted what I had done, I then pleaded guilty at Magistrates Courts on February 12.
I love this girl and hope for a happy future with her and our precious little boy." The incident came to light after Furnival's nomination was accepted but subsequently suspended by the Conservative Party pending an investigation.
Conservative parliamentary candidate Lucy Allan, who praised Furnival's community work, stated she was unaware of his conviction.
She emphasized that a criminal conviction is a serious matter and would have disqualified him from standing if the party had known about it.
A party spokesman confirmed that Mr.
Furnival did not disclose his conviction to the party and was suspended immediately pending further investigation.
