Ray Morgan, the chief executive of Woking Borough Council and also election Returning Officer, offered to provide a positive spin for the council's actions for use in Conservative election material at upcoming local elections.

In an email to Conservative council leader David Bittleston, chief executive Ray Morgan offered to provide an explanation of the council's spending on development for use "politically in election material" at elections in May 2018.

Senior council officers like Mr Morgan are required to be politically neutral and to conduct free, fair and impartial elections. A requirement Mr Morgan's offer could have breached.

In his email, and not for the first time, Mr Morgan also showed a disrespectful and dismissive attitude towards a constituent, showing a shocking disrespect for members of the public whose opinions appear to be contrary to his own. 

The Victoria Square development which sparked this email exchange remains a source of huge concern with even members of council questioning the vast sums of public money pouring into the project. The constituent that raised their concerns regarding this had a democratic right to do so, without facing disrespectful comments from the CEO. 

An immediate formal investigation has been requested by the LibDem, Labour and Independent councillors who have all submitted formal complaints to the Head of Democratic & Legal Services.