Susan Williams was fielding questions from about 100 local voters A Conservative candidate has been criticised after she answered a question from her husband during a BBC election debate in Greater Manchester. Susan Williams, standing for Bolton West, was asked about the budget deficit by her husband, Alex. The Liberal Democrats said it was a "bit cheeky" and the Labour Party described it as "very disappointing". Mr Williams, also a Tory candidate in Stretford and Urmston, said "supporters for other candidates were there". Mrs Williams fielded the question during an election debate involving voters in Bolton broadcast on the BBC News Channel. She said debate chairman Gavin Esler allowed her husband, who was in the audience, to ask a question and she remained adamant the BBC knew he would be there. A North West Labour Party spokesman added: "The debate was an opportunity to give local people the chance to have their say. In this case as this person is also standing in another Greater Manchester seat at the general election it's all the more surprising and disappointing

North West Labour Party spokesman "It's very disappointing that the Conservative Party feel the need to drop in a candidate's spouse into the audience to ask a question while passing themselves off as a member of the public. "In this case, as this person is also standing in another Greater Manchester seat at the general election, it's all the more surprising and disappointing." However, the Conservative Party has defended Mr Williams' actions, saying: "There were no restrictions on who these individuals were. Supporters of other candidates were there." Mr Williams added: "My name was submitted beforehand and the organisers were aware of my presence." The BBC said Mr Williams' question was not one of those submitted beforehand and was asked without its prior knowledge. Candidates announced so far: • Bolton West: Labour: Julie Hilling; UK Independence Party: Harry Lamb; Green Party: Rachel Mann; Liberal Democrat: Jackie Pearcey; Conservative: Susan Williams • Stretford and Urmston: Liberal Democrat: Stephen Cooke; Labour: Kate Green; UK Independence Party: David Owen; Green Party: Margaret Westbrook; Conservative: Alex Williams



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