27 Sep 2013

Election candidate stands down over explicit images

6:56 pm on 27 September 2013

A Christchurch community board candidate has withdrawn from the election race after explicit messages and images posted on a social media site were made public.

An online blog has posted screen shots of explicit conversations between Paul Findlay, a People's Choice candidate for the Hagley-Ferrymead community board, and a person who says they are 15 years' old.

People's Choice campaign manager Sara Epperson says Mr Findlay decided to stand down on Friday morning.

Ms Epperson says the facts of the case are not clear at the moment, but the suggestion of a sexual conversation with a minor is a concern to the organisation.

She says People's Choice has done background checks on all its candidates.

Police are looking into whether Mr Findlay has committed any criminal offence.

They say they have not received a complaint relating to Mr Findlay, but are aware of the material which has been posted on line.

Police are carrying out an assessment to determine if there has been any criminal offending, and if so a criminal investigation will be started.