Gemma Garrett in poll row

An Ulster-born beauty queen has denied breaking electoral rules by making a donation to a football team while she is standing in the by-election sparked by the resignation of shadow home secretary David Davis.

The candidate for the Miss Great Britain Party, Gemma Garrett, said she had made the donation as a football fan to pay for a new pavilion which the team — based in the Haltemprice and Howden constituency — needs in order to win promotion to the next league.

According to Miss Garrett's party, rival candidate David Bishop, who is also known as "Bus Pass Elvis", claimed her £1,000 donation to Howden AFC was illegal under the Representation of the People Act 1983 and had accused her of bribing voters.

But Belfast-born beauty queen Garrett (26) from Belfast, said: "I gave this money to Howden AFC because I am a football fan.

"The club is desperate to go up a division but can't because it doesn't have the right facilities and I just wanted to help. I did not ask for any votes in return."

Mr Bishop, who is standing for the Church of the Militant Elvis Party, said: "I could go round the constituency handing out Bank of Graceland £10 notes, asking people to vote for me."

See the full article at Belfast Telegraph