Lovechild councillor keeps seat

May 4 2007

THE Liberal Democrat city councillor who admitted having a lovechild with a married MP has kept her seat.

Emily Cox, of Forest Road, Moseley, had baby daughter Isabel with MP John Hemming, a fellow Liberal Democrat, a year into her three-year term as Moseley and King's Heath councillor in 2005.

But voters showed they were happy for the 29-year-old to hold her seat with a winning vote of 2,728 and a majority of 585.

Ms Cox admitted having a six-year affair with the Yardley MP after becoming his researcher and personal assistant. Mr Hemming has remained with his wife Christine and three children.

Meanwhile the Liberal Democrats also stayed in control in Hall Green and Springfield.

Jacqueline Hawthorn won the Hall Green seat after the demise of her Liberal Democrat colleague Sandra O'Brien.

Ms O'Brien had held the seat but was sacked in a pre-election coup after rows with her Hall Green councillor colleagues.

Ms Hawthorn, of Tixall Road, Hall Green, was a clear winner with 3,122 - a 692 majority over Conservative Bob Harvey.

In Springfield, Liberal Democrat Tanveer Choudhry regained his seat with 2,602 votes just ahead of Labour candidate Fazal Ellahi and Respect's Mohammed Suleman.