Michael Fabricant has dismissed claims he snubbed local voters by not appearing at a hustings event ahead of the general election.
The Conservative hopeful was the only candidate who did not attend the event at Speakers’ Corner at the weekend.
The Green Party said he had shown “disregard” for his fellow candidates and local voters.
But Mr Fabricant said a prior engagement meant he couldn’t attend – and said claims of a snub were “immature”.
He explained: “I had made it clear to the organisers for weeks that I was unable to be in Lichfield that day and that I had appointments in Burntwood on Saturday.
“Burntwood is no less important than Lichfield.
“Over 300 people attended the hustings in the cathedral and were seated indoors and had the opportunity to meet and question me in detail and provided a better opportunity than passers by in the street.
“So talking about ‘disregard’ is immature, opportunistic and inaccurate.”
“I had made it clear to the organisers for weeks that I was unable to be in Lichfield that day and that I had appointments in Burntwood on Saturday.
“Burntwood is no less important than Lichfield.
“Over 300 people attended the Hustings in the Cathedral and were seated indoors and had the opportunity to meet and question me in detail and provided a better opportunity than passers by in the street.
“Talking about ‘disregard’ is immature, opportunistic and inaccurate.”
But Labour county councillor Sue Woodward said Mr Fabricant should have made it to the event.
She said: “Hustings are in diary for months – the Tory candidate could have rearranged his visit to Burntwood. Mind you, he only visits at general election time.”
The candidates standing in the Lichfield constituency in May are:
- Andy Bennetts – Class War
- Michael Fabricant – Conservatives
- Robert Pass – Green Party
- John Rackham – UKIP
- Paul Ray – Lib Dem
- Chris Worsey – Labour
