A CONSERVATIVE Party chairman has refused to say whether a suspended candidate lied about military service.

On Wednesday the BBC reported that Matt Lynch, who is standing for election to Hastings Borough Council, has been suspended from the party after doubts were raised over his claims to have served in the Parachute Regiment.

Mr Lynch has claimed he served in the British Army for 14 years, including 12 years in 2 Para, and saw action in the Falklands conflict.

The profile on Hastings and Rye Tory Association website has been deleted since the story broke.

Members of the local regiment said they do not believe the claim.

Mr Lynch has not replied to requests for an interview.

A former paratrooper made his own inquiries with former servicemen and said: “To this day no one knows of him. It’s an insult to most people and their families.

“There were men who died on Mount Longdon who never saw their newborn baby. It’s an insult to them.”

The chairman of the Hastings and Rye Conservative Association told The Argus: “What has happened is we’ve suspended Matt Lynch pending an investigation we’re in the middle of.

It’s unfortunate he was already selected and approved, and on the ballot paper before anything came to light, so he will be standing – for himself.”

He said he had spoken to Mr Lynch. He refused to tell The Argus whether he had asked Mr Lynch whether he had, in fact, served in the parachute regiment, or what Mr Lynch had said.

He continued: “I’d rather not go into too much detail, I’m undertaking an investigation and we don’t want to prejudice that.”

Asked whether the electorate deserved the facts, he said: “I don’t think it’s a matter for the electorate, the individual concerned hasn’t committed an offence.

“There is information I have which suggests there’s some truth to the rumour that he may have had some military service.”

He said he was not prepared to disclose what information “at this stage”.

He said he had not yet formed an opinion of the truth of the matter.

He explained: “If he were to be elected, then at the end of our investigation if and only if he’s exonerated will he be invited back to the Conservative Party.”

Mr Lynch could not be reached. His name will appear on tomorrow’s ballot.