A Tory council candidate in Newcastle has been caught up in a row over plans for a new coal mine on the outskirts of the city.
Lyle Darwin, who is standing in the Callerton and Throckley ward, claims in materials sent to voters that he is the "only" candidate who will oppose Newcastle MP has 'grave concerns' over coal mine plans which could create 50 jobs and states that he has the backing of an action group set up to oppose the mine.
But furious Defend Dewley Hill campaigners say Mr Darwin has falsely aligned himself with their cause, claiming his statement is an "outright lie".
In an open letter to Mr Darwin, they say they "have not crossed paths once nor heard your views" on the coal mine issue.
The Conservative hopeful responded that he has "not claimed to have support from Defend Dewley Hill in any way", and has instead created a separate campaign group - Say No to Dewley Hill Opencast Mine - himself.
Jos Forester-Melville, campaign leader at Defend Dewley Hill, said she has seen no evidence of another campaign group and believes Mr Darwin is trying to "sail on our coattails".
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She said: "The notion of saying we support one party over another is ridiculous. Defend Dewley Hill is a non-political campaign group and indeed welcomes the support of all parties, recognising that climate breakdown is not a party political issue but something which affects us all.
"We have backing and support from all of the major parties.
"The leaflet suggests that Defend Dewley Hill are backing the election of the candidate in question and are urging people to vote for him as the only candidate who can stop Dewley Hill Opencast mine."
She added that the issue has caused "considerable anger amongst residents and campaigners who expressly appealed to him not to deliver the flyers".
A number of complaints over the campaign literature have been made to Newcastle City Council, but Mr Darwin believes there are "no grounds for complaint", saying: "What they are stating is completely false, stating that I have jumped on a bandwagon for their campaign.
"I don't really know Defend Dewley Hill. My campaign literature has been out there for quite a while, and I would have hoped that they would ring me and we could join forces.
"At the end of the day, we all want the same outcome - we are just going about it through different campaigns."
He added: "I have not claimed to have support from Defend Dewley Hill in any way. I have not tried to hide this fact, I have not tried to pull the wool over anyone's eyes.
"The campaign I have been involved with is Say No to Dewley Hill Opencast Mine, to add another voice to the fight against these plans, as stated on my campaign literature. I will continue to fight against these plans, which would be devastating for our community."
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Mr Darwin's campaign letters also accuse Labour, which holds all three Callerton and Throckley seats, of being "determined to push ahead" with the coal mine plan - when in fact incumbent Coun Marion Williams, and the three other candidates contesting the ward on May 2, have all expressed their opposition.
Idwal John, of the Green Party, called the leaflets "stupid" and "outrageous".
Liberal Democrat Aleisha Schofield said: "I think it is a shame that anyone would try to take credit for the work that community members have done."
Newcastle First candidate Ian Donaldson added: "As a resident of Callerton and Throckley Ward, I am offended that he thinks we are all fools."
A Newcastle City Council spokesperson said: "A number of complaints have come to the attention of the Returning Officer in relation to election literature. All such complaints have been logged and forwarded to Northumbria Police for investigation."
The council's planning committee will determine whether to permit the coal mine later this year. More than 16,000 people have signed a Save Newcastle Wildlife petition opposing the plans.
Newcastle MP has 'grave concerns' over coal mine plans which could create 50 jobs
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