Charges against Matthew Smith, 27, relate to nomination papers put forward in the Norfolk county council elections

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

A jury has been sworn in in the case of a former Ukip councillor and parliamentary contender accused of offences linked to alleged electoral fraud.

Matthew Smith, 27, the Norfolk council member for Gorleston St Andrews who had been selected to stand for parliament for Great Yarmouth in the next general election, is one of three men due to stand trial at Norwich crown court.

Prosecutor Brett Weaver was expected to open the case on Monday afternoon.

Smith, of Gorleston, who has since been suspended by the party, has denied several counts of making a false statement in nomination papers and making a false instrument with intent.

The charges relate to nomination papers put forward in the Norfolk county council elections held in the Great Yarmouth district between March and April last year.

Michael Monk, 60, of Hopton, and Daniel Thistlethwaite, 19, of Belton, also both pleaded not guilty to one charge of making a false statement in nomination papers.

After standing down as Ukip’s prospective parliamentary candidate for the ward, currently held by Tory housing and planning minister Brandon Lewis, Smith said he was innocent of any wrongdoing.

He added: “I am sad to say that I am today stepping down as Ukip’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Great Yarmouth in light of the continuing court case.

“I believe that I owe it to the people of Great Yarmouth to have a Ukip candidate, democratically selected by the local branch members in due course, who is free from such distractions and can give the people of Yarmouth the time and attention that this case is depriving me from doing to deliver a famous Ukip win in 2015.

“I have written to my local party chairman to this effect.”

The trial is expected to last up to four weeks.