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By Sarah Ward

Matt Binley as pictured on his election leaflet

A former police officer who was sent to prison for perverting the course of justice, is standing for election to the new North Northamptonshire Council.

Matt Binley, the son of former Northampton South MP Brian Binley, was jailed for four months in December 2010 after admitting he had conspired with a relative to cover up a drink driving crime in May 2010 in which he crashed his car in Northampton after going clubbing.

The relative falsely claimed they had been behind the wheel rather than the then 27-year-old Binley, who had committed the drink drive offence a few months after leaving the police service.

In his campaign material, Binley, who is also standing for election to the new Wellingborough town council, pays reference to his policing career but does not mention his time in prison.

It says:

“I have lived in Northamptonshire nearly all my life and feel very passionate about giving something back to the community and making a difference.
“I was a special constable and then a police officer in Northants for seven years, before going back into the private sector.”

According to social media networking site Linkedin, Binley served as a special constable from 2002 to 2007 before becoming a full time police officer and serving from June 2007 to February 2010. He now works as an operations service manager at a Northants distribution firm.

NN Journal contacted the candidate through his election agent David Jenney, and asked whether he should have told voters about his past convictions and whether they indicate he has a dishonest character.

Mr Jenney said:

“Matt Binley has paid his dues and that is the end of the matter, it was some years ago. We, as a caring, sharing party took it all into account. I have spoken with him and as far as he is concerned it is closed.”

In a response via email Binley said any suggestion he was a dishonest person was ‘completely untrue’ and ‘without foundation’.

He said his election pledges included keeping council tax low and a commitment to free car parking.

Binley is running for the Conservatives with former Wellingborough council leader Paul Bell and King Lawal. Labour has put up Adam Henley, Andrea Watts and Sylvia Erksine and Lib Dem Carolyn Ramsbottom and Green Geri Coop make up the full candidacy.

The North Northamptonshire Conservative Group, which has fielded at least one candidate in each ward across the West and unitary councils, has refused to take part in an election hustings being organised by NN Journal this evening so that the residents can hear more about their policies. They have also refused to take part in hustings held in Corby and Desborough.

Mr Jenney said: “As far as we are concerned they are a total waste of time.”

The elections take place on Thursday, May 6th.

Sign up for tonight’s virtual hustings, which start at 6pm, here.

NN Journal

Ex cop jailed for lying stands for election…