A surprise candidate with a chequered history has come forward to announce his plan to stand in a by-election in Douglas South.

Charles ’Buster’ Lewin has in the past been declared bankrupt, dismissed as a local authority clerk and convicted of election fraud.

The by-election in Douglas South is to be called following the death of constituency MHK Bill Malarkey, who was Minister for Home Affairs.

Mr Lewin was jailed for three and a half years in 2012 for his role in conspiring dishonestly to secure proxy votes in the 2010 Douglas East by-election.

He admitted charges of conspiracy to effect legal purpose by improper means, conspiracy to steal, and conspiracy to forge.

Mr Lewin was declared bankrupt in 2015 after his unsuccessful attempt to sue Braddan Commissioners following his dismissal as their clerk in 2007.

The commissioners agreed to settle on his unfair dismissal claim, which he took to the employment tribunal.

Explaining his reasons behind standing in the by-election, Mr Lewin said: ’This government has failed to deliver on making new legislation and updating existing legislation.

’For example, the rating legislation and method of collection have not been updated since 1970.

’This means that those on lower incomes are having to pay more than those on higher incomes.

’A further very serious issue is that local authority tenants suffered a huge increase in their rent on the basis that means-testing legislation would be introduced.

’This has not happened and a vast majority of tenants are really struggling to pay these exorbitant rents.

’In fact, in some cases local authority tenants are paying more than tenants in the private sector. This has to be addressed without delay. ’

Mr Lewin said another key issue is the ’failure of government to prioritise and curtail their spending’.

’There is a structural deficit of £58m. Yet they keep spending millions in particular on infrastructure schemes,’ he claimed.

Mr Lewin said if he was elected, he would not take a wage. He said he would not draw up a manifesto until he has canvassed the views of residents in South Douglas.

Mr Lewin said: ’In recent years I have noticed candidates produce their manifesto sitting at home without knowing the issues and concerns of their electorate.’

On his Facebook page he said he had heard ’rumbles’ of another candidate standing in Douglas South.

He said: ’Great - the more the merrier.

’I’m really looking forward to the requisition meetings as the gloves will come off and they need to be well researched.

’More importantly it will give the good folk of South Douglas a choice, in particular to ascertain if the candidate has the mettle to stand up to civil servants.’