A WOULD-BE MP accused one of his rivals of being “obsessed” with his personal circumstances.

Conservative Jason McCartney was sharply critical of his Lib Dem opponent Clr Nicola Turner during a live webchat with Examiner website users yesterday.

Clr Turner took part in a similar question and answer session on Wednesday during which she was asked about Lib Dem leaflets which describe Mr McCartney as “the Conservative from Leeds”.

She said: “He only came to the Colne Valley from Leeds, where I understand his wife and children still live, when selected for the seat by the Conservatives. As a resident I have to question his commitment to both his party and the area.”

But the Tory candidate hit back in yesterday’s live webchat, saying: “I live in my own home which I own in Honley – my address is on the ballot paper. I think it’s a real shame, with so many big issues facing us here and nationally, that Nicola is so obsessed with my personal circumstances.

“I’ll be blunt here – quite frankly where my ex-wife lives is none of Nicola or anyone else’s business.”

Mr McCartney was also asked why he had stood for the Lib Dems in a council election in Pudsey four years ago.

He said: “I was a paper candidate in that election. I was, and still am, against the Iraq war and I wanted to hold Tony Blair to account over this.”

Website user Andy asked Mr McCartney what he would do for Lindley if elected MP for Colne Valley.

He said: “Control development – I’ve been fighting the Lindley Moor plans. Working with big local employers like Newsholme Foods by ditching Labour’s tax on jobs.

“Fighting to keep services at the HRI. More police on the streets. I was on Lidget Street on Wednesday afternoon in the sun – it’s a lovely place and I’d like to help keep it that way.”

During the question and answer session, Mr McCartney said he was in favour of replacing Trident, against ID cards and supported an increase in health spending.

The Conservative was also asked what he would do to help the economy of the Colne Valley.

He said: “We need to get the banks lending, ditch Labour’s tax on jobs and invest in skills. We’ll create 400,000 apprenticeships and training places.”

You can read the full transcript of the webchat at www.examiner.co.uk/election.