A CAMPAIGNER, who petitioned for an elected mayor for Darlington, has accused the borough's council of misleading the public on the issue.

Harvey Smith believes the council's referendum literature is biased so that residents will vote against an elected mayor in the referendum on Thursday, September 27.

Mr Smith argues the council - who, by law, must ensure publicity is objective - are trying to preserve their own position.

He has written a three-page formal complaint to Catherine Whitehead, the borough council's solicitor, detailing his complaint.

The council is now investigating.

Mr Smith said: "I think it (rejecting an elected mayor) is the prevailing attitude of Darlington Borough Council's current management - and I think it's quite deliberate.

"It has not put across the full facts."

The referendum was triggered by a petition, which Mr Smith helped to organise, signed by more than 4,000 people.

A red leaflet called "Do you want an elected mayor for Darlington?", explaining the options, is available from council buildings.

But Mr Smith claims it is loaded with "misinformation and half truths".

A main complaint is the leaflet's assertion that Darlington could not have a ceremonial mayor and an elected mayor.

In his letter, Mr Smith said: "You must know, perfectly well, it is legally possible for an elected mayor to carry out the ceremonial activities of the current mayor, if he or she chooses."

He added that Councillor John Williams combined the roles of leader and ceremonial mayor in 1994/1995.

Mr Smith's second complaint is the leaflet's statement that the public cannot change the elected mayor system once established.

He wrote: "As you must know, while the public cannot force the council to take part in a referendum...the council itself, after consulting the public, can by resolution go back to the leader and cabinet model.

"You are giving the public only half the facts."

Another complaint is the possible cost of a mayoral election.

A council spokesman said of the letter: "We received it on Wednesday. We will be investigating the issues and will go back to Mr Smith in due course.