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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Councillor denies Napoli theft | Councillor denies Napoli theft |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A Devon councillor has temporarily stepped down from the police authority amid an investigation into allegations of theft from the MSC Napoli. | A Devon councillor has temporarily stepped down from the police authority amid an investigation into allegations of theft from the MSC Napoli. |
| Stuart Hughes, a county and district councillor in Sidmouth, was quizzed by police about thefts of goods from the stricken container ship in Lyme Bay. | Stuart Hughes, a county and district councillor in Sidmouth, was quizzed by police about thefts of goods from the stricken container ship in Lyme Bay. |
| He has strenuously denied any allegation of wrong doing. | He has strenuously denied any allegation of wrong doing. |
| Mr Hughes said he had answered questions voluntarily and would await a decision by police. | Mr Hughes said he had answered questions voluntarily and would await a decision by police. |
| Candidates 'unaware' | Candidates 'unaware' |
| He said in a statement: "Pending the outcome of the police enquiries I have voluntarily taken a break from my position on the police authority and will not be drawing expenses." | |
| He added the allegation was unfounded and he did not have any stolen property. | He added the allegation was unfounded and he did not have any stolen property. |
| Mr Hughes is a councillor at Devon County Council and East Devon District Council. | Mr Hughes is a councillor at Devon County Council and East Devon District Council. |
| He is standing as a Conservative candidate in the forthcoming local council elections in Sidmouth and has claimed the allegation amounted to a dirty tricks campaign against him. | He is standing as a Conservative candidate in the forthcoming local council elections in Sidmouth and has claimed the allegation amounted to a dirty tricks campaign against him. |
| Sidford ward's candidates have not commented on the issue | |
| Other candidates standing in the Sidford Ward are independents Jack Brokenshire and Chris Whale and fellow Conservative candidates Christine Drew and Graham Troman. | Other candidates standing in the Sidford Ward are independents Jack Brokenshire and Chris Whale and fellow Conservative candidates Christine Drew and Graham Troman. |
| They told BBC News they were not aware of the allegations and could not comment on them. | They told BBC News they were not aware of the allegations and could not comment on them. |
| The MSC Napoli was deliberately grounded in Lyme Bay off Branscombe beach in January after suffering hull damage in a storm during which her 26 crew were rescued. | The MSC Napoli was deliberately grounded in Lyme Bay off Branscombe beach in January after suffering hull damage in a storm during which her 26 crew were rescued. |
| More than 100 of the ships 2,000 containers went overboard and 58 were washed ashore, sparking a scavenging spree in which items including motorcycles, barrels of wine, nappies and cosmetics were taken. | More than 100 of the ships 2,000 containers went overboard and 58 were washed ashore, sparking a scavenging spree in which items including motorcycles, barrels of wine, nappies and cosmetics were taken. |
| The Receiver of Wreck, Sophia Exelby, said about 1,400 items had been reported. | The Receiver of Wreck, Sophia Exelby, said about 1,400 items had been reported. |
| People failing to report goods were told they could face a fine of up to £2,500 and having to pay the owner twice the value of the item. | People failing to report goods were told they could face a fine of up to £2,500 and having to pay the owner twice the value of the item. |