A NEWPORT City Council candidate has left the Liberal Democrats over the Caerleon Campus Facebook page row.

Michael Enea, campaigning to represent the St Julian’s ward, said today that he will no longer stand for the party in the local government elections to be held in May next year.

Earlier this week, it was reported that a Save Caerleon Campus Facebook page had been merged with the Newport and Severnside Liberal Democrats page.

The Save Caerleon Campus page - which was created by the Lib Dems to support the ongoing fight to save the 104-year-old building and 32-acre site earlier this year - attracted around 1,500 likes on social media during the campaign.

Mr Enea said: “To change a community campaign page, albeit run by the Lib Dems, into a full political party page was wrong and I strongly questioned the integrity of doing this with around 1,500 people.

“It seriously brings into the question the trust that a political party builds with the public.”

“I have also recently questioned the organisational structure of the local group in terms of campaigns and preparation for the forthcoming local election,” Mr Enea added.

“Rather than confront the issue at hand, the chair had questioned me on my strong tone and approach with trying to stop the party coming into disrepute publicly. I feel the damage now caused in working relationships is irreversible.”

A Liberal Democrats spokesman said: “Mike Enea was invited to a meeting regarding his behaviour, which over recent weeks has been aggressive and confrontational.

“Before this meeting could take place he chose to resign from the Liberal Democrats.

“Mike was a passionate campaigner for the Liberal Democrats and had he been able to conduct himself in accordance to the party’s rules, he would have made a fantastic Liberal Democrat councillor.

“We wish him all the best for the future.”