South Littleton, Petition Regarding Election Result Challenge

WYCHAVON Public Notice

REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT 1983

Worcestershire County Council 1st May 2025 Election of a County Councillor for the Littletons Division

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been presented in the High Court on behalf of the petitioner, Elizabeth Louise Williams, of  South Littleton, Worcestershire. The petition states as follows:

PETITION

1. Introduction

1.1 That the Petitioner Elizabeth ‘Liz’ WILLIAMS is a person who voted [and had a right to vote] at the above election and was a Candidate at the above election.

1.2 That the Election was held on the 1st day of MAY 2025, when the following persons were Candidates AND the Results of the Election are shown in numeric form:

• CARTWRIGHT, Neal John – Labour Party [96]

• KEMP, Graham Paul – Heritage Party [16]

• LITTLECHILD, John David – Liberal Democrats [89]

• POWELL, Aaron James – The Conservative Party Candidate [833]

• ROBSON, Hannah Mary – Green Party [890] Elected

• WILLIAMS, Elizabeth Louise (commonly known as WILLIAMS, Liz) – Reform UK [889]

And on the 2nd day of MAY 2025, the WYCHAVON DISTRICT COUNCIL Deputy Returning Officer Victor Grant ALLISON (“Vic Allison”) returned Hannah Mary ROBSON as being duly elected as a Worcestershire County Councillor. This process was overseen by MEESHA PATEL, WYCHAVON Council Solicitor.

2. Respondents

2.1 Hannah Mary Robson, the elected candidate for the Green Party, is named as the beneficiary of the alleged interference and fraudulent count.

2.2 Paul Robsinson, The Chief Executive of Worcestershire County Council, is named for having overall responsibility for the running of the Council including elections.

2.3 Victor Grant Allison, The Deputy Returning Officer of Wychavon District Council is named for overseeing and being involved in the allegedly fraudulent count.

2.4 Chris Harris, West Mercia Police SPOC, is named pending the ongoing police investigation outcome due to concerns over expedition of said investigation.

3. Grounds for Challenge

3.1 The Electorate confirmed that I received 889 votes and Hannah Robson received 889 votes after several recounts.

3.2 The original count was unreconciled with the final when leads to further recounts and moving the entire count to another table. There was an initial miscount at the first table.

3.3 The declared result was determined only by folding and placing two used election ballot papers into a ballot box and the Deputy Returning Officer pulling one out. The Petitioner believes this process was not carried out in accordance with due process of law, open to fraud and corruption and did not allow time for independent legal advice to be obtained when being pressured into accepting the process in principle. I did not feel able to witness the entire process without obstruction nor my concerns to be heard at the time. The Worcester News article dated 02May 2025 makes reference to “The Returning Officer was forced to leave the room as the crowd stood still while a person placed both candidates names in to a box and shuffled them around”. I was not able to see this and only saw one slip being folded where I protested as to how do we know they are both been folded the same. I could not see the box for all of the preparation and was not included in that. I did not agree to a third person shuffling the papers. Once in the ballot box, only the Returning Officer should have had their hand in the box.

3.4 There were also several alleged, witnessed and evidenced breaches of secrecy during the count and ballot draw itself. This included ballot papers being repeatedly turned over and placed face down in bundles on the counting table as well as photographing and filming of the Counting Hall throughout the entire count and specifically during the ballot box draw.

3.5 A warning on secrecy had to be given to the room by the Deputy Returning Officer but failed to stop the behaviour, but no further action was taken. This resulted in the Littletons Ballot Draw being filmed and photographed before a later declaration and the images being shared on social media and reported outside of the count prior to said declaration. Filming and photographing continued throughout all the counts in the hall on the day.

3.4 Prior to this Petition the Petitioner has made several formal complaints to WYCHAVON DISTRICT COUNCIL regarding alleged, witnessed and evidenced, undue influence and corrupt behaviour, by the subsequently elected candidate, Hannah Mary ROBSON and at least two persons acting on her behalf, on the Polling Day itself and at every polling station in the District of Littletons.

3.6 All of the above behaviour has been reported by Elizabeth WILLIAMS to the Election SPOC DC 21368 CHRIS HARRIS of West Mercia Police and is currently under investigation. Due to the legal deadlines this petition is being made in addition.

3.7 I was also told by Emma NISHIGAKI she reported the ballot box draw to the police but had not heard anything. I had not been aware of this on the day.

3.8 I believe that there has been insufficient official investigation into the concerns I have formally lodged with the Council and the police, and they have accepted a version of events given by Hannah Mary Robson and the polling staff who failed to prevent undue influence and indeed appeared to facilitate it.

3.9 I believe many voters were unable to cast their votes without having to interact with the Green Party members being in the inner doorway of polling stations and filming which greatly influenced the voters and caused complaints.

4. Evidence

4.1 [URL]: https://www.wychavon.gov.uk/component/fileman/?view=file&routed=1&item1ess=1&name=Littletons%20Declaration%20of%20Result%20of%20Poll.pdf&folder=Documents/Elections/elections/2025/Worcestershire%20county%20council%20elections%205%20May%202025&container=fileman-files

4.2 PLEASE SEE ATTACHED WITNESS STATEMENT AND DULY COMPLETED N244 FORM FOR THE COURTS’ USE

5. Relief Sought

5.1 A declaration that the said Hannah Robson was NOT Elected by a due process of law, namely by the Electorate as the Representation of Peoples Act 1983 provides; but by an equivalent of a “toss of a coin” and therefore the election declaration be void.

5.2 A declaration that said Hannah Robson be disqualified due to undue influence and corrupt behaviour.

5.3 A declaration that the secrecy of the ballot was compromised contrary to the Act.

5.4 That the Petitioner may have such further or other relief as the Court deems just – so as to be adjudicated by the Rules of Natural Justice.

6. Declaration

I, Elizabeth Louise Williams, undertake to provide security for costs as required by law. I, Elizabeth Louise Williams, understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth.

Notice issued by Vic Allison on 24th June 2025

Deputy Returning Officer for the Worcestershire County Council

Elections of 1 May 2025 on behalf of Wychavon District Council