A Conservative candidate has been barred from Thursday’s local elections.
Thomas Burton was due to represent the ruling Government in the Church ward but has now withdrawn his candidacy due to a conflict of interest.
He is a teacher at Dovedale Primary School which means he is employed by Liverpool City Council and therefore unable to stand.
Merseyside Police confirmed it was investigating a ‘possible breach’ of electoral law from a letter sent in by the city’s returning officer.
Mr Burton admitted on Monday that he was standing down from election ‘with enormous regret’ and also apologised for ‘any inconvenience caused’.
“Although teachers are eligible to become councillors, I have just found out that I am not able to stand if I work in a school in the same local authority,” he said.
“I live and work in Liverpool and am passionate about my community.
“This is one of the main reasons why I wanted to stand in these council elections to become a local councillor.”
His name will still appear on the ballot paper due to the deadline for withdrawal passing on April 6.
The leader of Liverpool’s Liberal Democrats have criticised the Conservatives for failing to organise their candidates despite describing Mr Burton’s role as ‘an honest mistake’.
Cllr Richard Kemp said: “We do not want to see this young man prosecuted.
“He made an honest mistake in allowing his name to go forward as a Conservative candidate when he was clearly ineligible to stand.”