A councillor who had his parish responsibilities taken away from him because of a previous criminal conviction still has the support of his political party as he continues his role as a district councillor.

Alex Slater was kicked off Hazlemere Parish Council last week after it was alleged he broke election rules by standing for office less than five years after he received a conviction of over three months.

It has now emerged the Liberal Democrat, who still sits on Wycombe District Council, was convicted in July 2006 before being elected to the parish in May 2011.

He had earlier begun his political career with the parish in 2008 when he was co-opted into office.

Following his election success he defeated HPC chairman Brian Mapletoft to claim the WDC Hazlemere South seat in November 2011 - which is understood to be outside of the five-year timeframe.

However, Cllr Mapletoft made the announcement on Monday, November 17, that Cllr Slater had been ejected from the parish in relation to an offence of section 80(d) of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Wycombe Liberal Democrats who put Cllr Slater forward for the district seat said they are “disappointed” he did not tell them of his past - but they continue to support him.

Wycombe Liberal Democrats constituency agent, Ian Morton, said: “Alex did not join the Liberal Democrats until 2011. At that time he was already serving on the parish council.

“He was then elected by the voters of Hazlemere in November 2011 to serve them on the district council after defeating the Ukip candidate Brian Mapletoft in a by election.

“Wycombe Liberal Democrats are disappointed that Alex did not inform us of his previous conviction from 2006 when applying to become a candidate with us in 2011.

“It is clear that Alex has taken the wrong path on a number of occasions in his past and as a result he has now lost a role on the parish council that he clearly enjoyed doing.

“Alex deeply regrets his mistakes and has offered his most sincere apologies for letting his local residents down.

“Liberal Democrats believe that everyone can learn from the mistakes they have made in life and that their past should not be used to determine their future.

“Since joining the Liberal Democrats Alex has shown he is capable of becoming an effective councillor for the residents of Hazlemere.

“We hope that Alex has learnt his lesson, can put his past behind him and serve his local residents to the best of his ability.”

The section of law the disqualification refers to says: “A person shall be disqualified for being elected or being a member of a local authority... if he has within five years before the day of election or since his election been convicted in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man of any offence and has had passed on him a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of not less than three months without the option of a fine.”