COLCHESTER’S High Steward has hit back at critics opposing his decision to stand in the forthcoming General Election.

Former Liberal Democrat MP Sir Bob Russell was given the honorary title after he lost his seat to Conservative rival Will Quince in the 2015 General Election.

Sir Bob had previously served as Colchester’s mayor and council leader and the civic title was recognition for his public service.

However, the role is non-political and now Sir Bob has come under fire for standing as the Lib Dem candidate in the forthcoming General Election while still being the town’s High Steward.

Opponents say his political campaign conflicts with the non-political role.

Mr Quince said he proposed Sir Bob for the honour and now feels “a bit of a fool”.

He wanted Sir Bob to be recognised for his decades of service and said: “What better way to give him the civic recognition? It was made clear at the time it was a non-political role.”

The Tory, who is seeking re-election, wants Sir Bob to choose one role or the other.

He added: “If he didn’t want to do it and take a non-political role, he shouldn’t have taken it on.”

Conservative councillor Darius Laws said councillors must think about a motion calling for Sir Bob to forfeit the borough-awarded role.

He said: “He’s been a high profile High Steward. There’s some questions of the integrity of doing a dual approach. We need to protect the integrity of the role.”

Labour group leader Tim Young praised Sir Bob for the support he has given his wife Julie as town mayor.

But he said: “I think it’s difficult to amalgamate the two roles. High Steward is a non-political role. I think he should stand down.”

But Colchester council leader Paul Smith, a fellow Lib Dem, said Sir Bob handled the matter well by stepping aside from the High Steward role for the duration of the election campaign.

Sir Bob said he was was aware of the controversy. He said: “They are silly people who do silly things. It’s not unexpected.

“People with maturity will see it’s just a nonsense.”