POLICE have ended their investigation into a councillor accused of handing out treats on the way to winning a by-election.

The probe centred around Susan Shinnick having tea and cakes at Elizabeth Gardens, a residential complex for the elderly, 11 days before her victory on Thursday, October 17.

Officers have now dropped the complaint, made by Conservative councillor Mark Coxshall, and concluded the offence of “treating” had not been committed.

The whole saga has left a bitter taste in many mouths, including Thurrock Council’s Labour leader John Kent who said the allegation was “remarkably stupid” and called Mr Coxshall an “unruly child”.

He said: “I really feel for the many decent members of the Conservative Party in Thurrock that have to work within this mentality.

“I feel for the Tory leader, because I believe he too wants to work for the common good, but who can’t control this unruly child.”

However Mr Coxshall, who was election agent to the Tory candidate Danny Nicklen at the Stifford Clays by-election, said he was just doing his job by reporting the complaint he had recieved.

He pointed out that all postal votes made at Elizabeth Gardens were returned - and said that warranted investigation.

He said: “I was agent for the Conservative candidate at the recent by-election. As such it is my responsibility to ensure my candidate abides by electoral law and that other candidates do the same. Having received the reports of ‘treating’ from a member of the public, I reported this to the police as I am obliged to by law.

“The fact the incident took place on the day that postal votes were received and that all votes were returned from Elizabeth Gardens did merit investigation, when the returned Postal votes for the rest of the ward was only 50 per cent.

“All of us in public life should uphold the law and maintain the highest standards of behaviour. It is disappointing that the Leader of the council has chosen to personalise the issue.”

Police said they would not be prosecuting any complainants for wasting police time, as it is not believed the allegation was reported with malicious intent.

The Gazette tried to call and email Ms Shinnick, but she didn’t respond.