Lib Dem candidate David Murray stands down amid police probe

A Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate who is facing "serious" criminal allegations has been forced to stand down, it emerged today.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said David Murray had "done the right thing" by withdrawing as the party's candidate in The Wrekin, Shropshire.

West Mercia Police refused to comment about the nature of their investigation but Mr Clegg said: "The allegations are serious."

A Lib Dem spokesman said: "Mr Murray, on the advice of the party, has withdrawn as the candidate in the forthcoming election."

Speaking to reporters in Northampton, Mr Clegg said: "I take these allegations very, very seriously.

"I think the right thing has been done, the candidate has stood down and it's now in the hands of the police.

"The allegations are serious but I can't tell you where they have come from. It's now very much for the police to do the job that only they can do."

Asked whether it would damage his party's image, he said: "Of course it is self-evidently not a good thing when a candidate has to face serious allegations.

"But I think in this case, the candidate has done the right thing and stood down immediately."

A police spokesman said: "West Mercia Police does not make comment about any individual unless they have been charged and appeared in court.

"We do not discuss details of any persons who may or may not be subject to a police investigation."

Mr Murray's profile has been removed from the Lib Dems' website following his withdrawal from the campaign.

But his local party website reveals he was a Bridgnorth district councillor from 2003 to 2009.

Mr Murray moved to the Midlands in 1986 to work for engineering giant GKN and lives in The Wrekin constituency.

The Wrekin includes the towns of Newport, Wellington and Shifnal and elected Tory Mark Pritchard in 2005.

Alyson Cameron-Daw has now been selected to contest the seat for the Lib Dems on 6 May.