Parents tricked into signing fake Staffordshire housing petition
Parents have been 'hoodwinked' into signing their names to a bogus petition over a controversial housing project, it was claimed today.
A man purporting to be collecting signatures to secure extra car parking at a school in Staffordshire was actually getting names for a petition calling for more housing to be built in the area, it emerged.
His true purpose for being there was identified by one parent who spotted on the petition that it said it was about extra housing and had nothing to do with parking.
South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson has called the move fraudulent and 'an absolute disgrace.' Police are investigating the incident outside Cheslyn Hay Sports and Community High School on Tuesday.
Several angry parents contacted the MP about their concerns after realising they had been fooled.
Mr Williamson, who led a high-profile campaign opposing a bid to build 140 new homes in Cheslyn Hay, is now urging people to be extra vigilant and to carefully read through any petitions they are asked to sign.
Friction between supporters and opponents of the housing scheme has been brewing since a planning application to build 141 homes at a green belt site off Landywood Lane was submitted to South Staffordshire District Council.
The plan was thrown out late last year but there is still a chance that the Planning Inspectorate could overturn the decision. The department is considering an appeal by the builder.
A total of 4,281 residents signed a petition to stop the development. The signatures were compiled by Mr Williamson after he leafleted 8,000 homes in the area asking for residents' backing.
The bogus petition did not support any named development but called for more housing generally in the village. Today Mr Williamson said: "People are feeling really shocked that they have been hoodwinked into signing something that misrepresents them. It is an absolute disgrace. Petitions exist to represent people's views and portray the weight of public opinion on important local issues. To fraudulently obtain signatures in this way is a disgusting abuse of our democratic system.
"It is fraudulent and is no way to conduct yourself. People should be open and honest about what they are asking people to support.
"Those people who contacted me were angry. Some had already signed my petition and they feel duped. It is a massive concern that someone is operating in such a highly dubious and frankly fraudulent way."
Mr Williamson has contacted Staffordshire Police over the issue.
