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Jeremy Hunt's election opponent has been suspended by the Lib Dems over claims he falsified his nomination papers.

Businessman Patrick Haveron is fighting to overturn the health secretary's 16,000-vote majority in South West Surrey, and is also standing for Waverley Borough Council.

But the Liberal Democrats have now suspended him from the party after claims were made about the nomination papers he submitted for his councillor election.

The council's Tory leader told Mirror Online the allegations centre around a husband and wife who complained about being included on a council nomination paper.

Council candidates each need two supporters to 'nominate' them, and candidates for Parliament need a list of 10.

Council leader Robert Knowles said: "My understanding is that this council has received a complaint from a resident that her name and her husband's name have appeared on the nomination paper.

"It appears things on the face of it were correct until the nomination paper was published and two people said 'we didn't sign this'.

"The council has passed the matter to Surrey Police."

Surrey Police did not immediately return requests for comment.

Mr Haveron's Twitter page appeared to have been deleted and his website showed an error message earlier today.

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Because nominations have closed, he will still appear on both the council and Parliamentary ballot papers as a Lib Dem even though the party has disowned him.

It is too late for the Lib Dems to put up another candidate despite being in second place in South West Surrey with 17,287 votes (30%) to Mr Hunt's 33,605 (59%).

The third-placed party in 2010 was Labour with just 3,419 votes (6%).

A now-deleted profile on the Lib Dem website said Mr Haveron runs his own business and was the chairman of a group of workshops championing small firms.

He was previously a borough councillor and planning cabinet member, the website said.

He said previously: "I am delighted to have been selected to represent the Liberal Democrats in South West Surrey.

"I will provide strong local leadership and a fairer deal for Waverley residents."

A party spokesman said: "Patrick Haveron has been suspended by the party pending the outcome of investigations into his nomination papers for the Waverley Borough Council election.

"He has been suspended from the Liberal Democrats and no longer represents the Liberal Democrats in either election."

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A Waverley Borough Council spokesman said: "Waverley Borough Council can confirm that a complaint has been received from a local resident stating that their name and the name of their spouse have been incorrectly shown as assenting to a nomination (on the nomination paper) for one of the Liberal Democrat candidates standing in the Godalming, Farncombe and Catteshall ward in the borough council election being contested at the poll on 7th May.

"As part of the elections process, the nomination paper submitted by the Liberal Democrat candidate, Patrick Haveron, was checked. The names of the complainants were listed as assenters and the nomination paper appeared to be valid.

"The complaint has been passed to Surrey Police as the appropriate authority to investigate and the Electoral Commission has been informed."

A Surrey Police spokesman said: "Surrey Police is aware of this matter and an investigation is underway. Enquiries remain ongoing and we will issue an update in due course."

Mr Haveron could not immediately be reached for comment.