My name was listed, among others, criticising comments made by Sir Bob Russell MP in his Shrub End ward election letter.

I’d like to place on record I had had no knowledge of this letter to the paper until I read about it in the Gazette.

Nobody spoke to me about it and I haven’t signed anything concerning this matter.

I don’t even know who submitted the letter. I’d like to put on record that Sir Bob Russell is a very good friend of my family and I have been in contact with him today and sincerely apologised for any inconvenience caused by my name being listed.

He has accepted my apology.

Although I do not agree with Sir Bob’s politics, it does not mean I would write, or support, a letter of that nature being sent to the local paper.

It’s none of my business what Sir Bob writes to residents in Shrub End, especially as I am representing UKIP as a candidate for High Woods in the May 3 elections.

Myself and Sir Bob stood on the terraces, home and away, during the U’s Conference years, cheering them on.

I vividly, and painfully, remember one of our terrace friends become terminally ill with cancer and Sir Bob and I attended the funeral of our fellow fan and grieved together.

Sir Bob, politics aside, is a top notch bloke and sometimes it’s hard to read and hear what is said about him.

I’ll still vote for him again come next General Election day, unless UKIP have a candidate of course.

Bill Rowley
UKIP candidate for High Woods