An independent candidate for Oxfordshire County Council has come under pressure not to stand from a former colleague and friend.

Ken Tiwari, 61, who worked for the Labour Party for 43 years, decided to stand as an independent candidate in Old Marston, Oxford, at the county council election on June 7.

Ken TiwariJohn Tanner, a former Labour leader of Oxford City Council, visited Mr Tiwari to dissuade him from standing against the official Labour candidate, Mick McAndrews.

Mr Tiwari said they talked for one-and-a-half hours, but he would not be persuaded to step down. He said: "He was saying that I would take Labour's votes and that the Liberal Democrats could win it instead.

"Labour won't represent me or the people who live here - I've worked at Oxford City Council for ten years and I know nothing will change."

Mr Tiwari met John Tanner in 1990 when he was a magistrate and Mr Tanner appeared before him for non-payment of the 'Poll Tax'. The two later worked together as Labour members of the city council for the ten years until Mr Tiwari lost his seat last year.

Mr Tiwari added: "I have known Mr Tanner for a long time and I always liked and trusted him but he is no longer the old John that I remember, he's part of the establishment now.

"He doesn't convince me. Labour has done nothing for this ward, the roads are full of potholes and no money is ever spent here."

Mr Tanner said: "I think it's a question of sour grapes. Ken wasn't selected for the seat and he is angry about that."