A MAN who plans to stand as an MP has been arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and affray.
Brighton Kemptown prospective candidate Joe Neilson has denied any wrongdoing over the alleged incident at his home – the so-called ‘murder house’ – on Friday.
The disabled 63-year-old said he would be standing for election in 2015 as an independent candidate after getting a grant from a government fund for disabled people.
Police said they were called to his house in South Coast Road, Peacehaven, shortly after midday on Friday after “a report that two men who had arrived to carry out work at the premises had been threatened by occupants”.
Officers also arrested Mr Neilson’s colleague Matthew Taylor, 43, on suspicion of affray.
Both have been released on bail while enquiries continue.
Speaking to The Argus, Mr Neilson, said there was “absolutely no way” he had attacked anyone. He said: “I am a 68-year-old disabled pensioner.
“I am a very disabled person. The police kept me in custody for 12 hours. I am still running as MP.”
Mr Taylor, who said he would also be running as an independent MP candidate in Lewes, said he was also innocent.
Mr Neilson lives in the top flat of the house dubbed the ‘murder house’ because of its connection with the unsolved 1996 murder of 19-year-old Katrina Taylor.
Mr Neilson has painted the words “murder house” on the outside in an attempt to draw attention to the case, in which he was a witness.
Two men were cleared in 1999 after a retrial at the Old Bailey.
Mr Neilson said he had received funds to run as an MP from the Government’s Access To Elected Office Fund.
He has said of his bid for office: “I want to bring integrity and honesty to public office and be a voice to the people of the Brighton Kemptown constituency.”
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