A FORMER Ukip councillor and election agent has accused the Clacton branch of the party for wasting police time after he was reported for allegedly stealing a printer.

Richard Everett, who was Ukip’s Clacton constituency agent, quit the party in May following a decision to “parachute in” National Executive Committee member Paul Oakley over locally-selected candidate Jeff Bray for the General Election.

Mr Everett now sits with Mr Bray in the Independent Alliance group on Tendring Council.

He described the issue as an “internal Ukip feud”which had spilled over with a report to police alleging he had stolen a HP laser jet printer.

Mr Everett said he had not returned the printer after claiming he had yet to be paid expenses which he claimed are owed to him from the county council elections in May.

“I think it is shameful the local Ukip branch has wasted police time and effort at a time when their resources are severely over-stretched,” he said.

“It is hardly a police matter,” he added.

“The police confirmed to me that the report did not amount to theft and that no action would be taken by the them.”

Anthony Finnegan-Butler, who is the chairman of Clacton Ukip, confirmed he had reported the matter to the police.

He also said he had been told it was not being recorded as a criminal offence as Mr Everett does not intended to keep the printer indefinitely.

“It’s a simple matter – we would like our printer back,” he said.

“When we went to pick up the printer, we found out Richard had expenses from the election.

“He said to us that if we pay up we’ll get the printer back.”

Mr Finnegan-Butler said he queried the bill as the branch had a policy of not paying election expenses and that it had not paid the expenses of county council candidates or that of Mr Oakley following the General Election.

“If he can prove he had approval from the committee and that it was voted on, we will pay it,” he added.

Mr Finnegan-Butler said the group will meet in September and will decide whether it will take legal action.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police received a report of a theft from Harold Way, Frinton, on June 18.

“Inquiries took place and it was ascertained that this was a civil matter.

“Advice has been given.”