A NEWLY-ELECTED Conservative town councillor has failed to deny attempting to take part in the Labour party leadership election.

Witney town councillor Dean Temple registered to become a Labour supporter in mid-June, according to the Witney constituency Labour party.

Chairman Chris Johnson said the application used the same name, address and date of birth as on Mr Temple’s May election form. Mr Temple did not deny the allegations but refused to comment.

A registered supporter is someone who can pay a one-off £3 fee to vote in the leadership election, unlike a party member who pays monthly to be affiliated with the party.

Mr Johnson said: “The party headquarters sent local supporter details to the constituency party, and we recognised the name.”

In July, the Daily Telegraph published an article headed How you can help Jeremy Corbyn win – and destroy the Labour Party where it encouraged Conservatives to become a registered associate of the party to vote for left-winger Jeremy Corbyn.

Witney mayor Jim King, who is a Conservative, said: “I’m absolutely shocked. I can’t understand why he would do a thing like this.”