Southampton Itchen MP candidate Rowenna Davis forced to backtrack

High-profile candidate Rowenna Davis has put herself forward to succeed Southampton Itchen MP John Denham who is standing down at the next General Election.

But now Ms Davis, often seen reviewing the daily newspapers with Eamonn Holmes on Sky News, has been forced to alter her own website which wrongly claimed she had the backing of one of the city’s leading businessmen.

Oxford University educated Ms Davis, a journalist who has written for the Guardian and The Times, had written on her website that she “had the backing” of Associated British Ports director Doug Morrison.

But yesterday Mr Morrison distanced himself from the claim denying he had endorsed the 28-year-old author, who is currently a councillor in Peckham.

Doug Morrison Doug Morrison

It is the second time in a week she has had to take action to change her website which had featured comments from both Mr Morrison and Bitterne Park School head teacher Susan Trigger under a section called “endorsements”.

But last week Mrs Trigger said she had not endorsed Ms Davis and now Mr Morrison, who is director of Southampton’s port, has denied backing her bid.

Both of their comments are still on the website, now under the amended heading of “what people are saying”.

Tory opposition leader Cllr Royston Smith, who is the party’s prospective candidate for the seat, said claiming the duo had endorsed her if they had not officially backed her had “backfired”.

Mr Morrison said: “She has been to see me several times. She is very bright and intelligent and she has a great deal of passion for the port which came across.

“She wanted a photo taken and asked if I had any objections to it going on her website.

“But I do not endorse anybody and I would be very unhappy if my quote was carried with the word ‘endorsement’ above it.

“I have no political affiliation – what I want is to see politicians who are passionate about developing and growing the port.

“I certainly do not endorse Rowenna Davis or anybody else for that matter.

“I’m a big fan of John Denham, who has done a wonderful job, but I’m also a fan of other MPs in the area who are members of the Conservative party.”

Cllr Smith said: “She has as much chance as the other two [candidates] but there’s a lesson there for her to ensure you are fully open with people to ask them to endorse you.

“Maybe she wanted to show endorsements from people locally but if they haven’t then it has backfired a bit.”

Ms Davis said: “On the site all of the quotes are under the heading “what people are saying.”

“That was changed [from endorsements] within 20 minutes of me hearing otherwise.

“I think it’s really important to get the views of the community and hear what they are saying about meeting me and future plans for Southampton.”

Mr Denham, who has represented the constituency since 1992, will stand down at the next General Election.

Ms Davis is up against current city councillors Sarah Bogle and Satvir Kaur and former councillor Pat Evemy.

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