A new book will “name and shame” local politicians, its author says.

Amongst those mentioned in Pat Regan's Dirty Politics are MP John Pugh, his aide Tony Dawson, and Cllrs David Tattersall, Simon Shaw and Carmel Preston.

“Many ill-mannered political activists featured will wish to strangle this work at birth. Nevertheless, they will now undoubtedly reap what they have sown,” Mr Regan said.

“Although they have been conceited in the belief that they could act without challenge, Dirty Politics will prove them to be oh so very wrong.”

Cambridge ward Cllr Preston has responded to the comments, that relate to when her son Kirk was banned from driving in 2007 after being caught driving at more than twice the legal drink-drive limit.

At the time Cllr Preston told The Champion: “I don't wish to comment on this and I would prefer it not to be printed.”
Speaking this week Cllr Preston said: “My husband and I are totally against drink-driving.  I had just been elected and I was absolutely surprised about it.  I couldn't believe the press wanted to pick it up and I was naïve with the comment I made.”

In the book, Mr Pugh is accused of attacking Mr Regan's wife Cath's religious views, Mr Dawson is said to have made “obnoxious” comments on internet chat rooms, Cllr Shaw is said to have been thrown out of a health care meeting for “disruptive behaviour” and Cllr Tattersall is alleged to have verbally attacked Cath Regan in public.

None of the men wished to comment.

When asked if only Liberal Democrats came under fire in the book, Mr Regan said other parties were mentioned too.

“But I think this is going to be the new version of the Satanic Verses to Lib Dems,” he said.

The book, released in June by Can Write Will Write publishers, concentrates on the fortnightly bin collections and destruction of green space.

By Natasha Robson