A SENIOR district and county councillor has asked police to intervene after he claims that a smear campaign has been launched against him in Thanet.

Fake £10 notes bearing the picture of magistrate John Kirby with his false signature and a wrong interpretation of his cabinet position as member for planning - written as chief of planning - are being circulated.

They have been sent in unmarked brown envelopes to private addresses and to organisations including the South Thanet Conservative Association office in King Street, ramsgate and the Ramsgate Town Partnership in the Harbour Street.

Cllr Kirby, a former town mayor, said: “This the latest desperate attempt by people behind the smear campaign against me regarding the proposed development on the Ramsgate boulevard site on the seafront.

“They are plumbing the depths of decency and skulk behind the shadows of anonymity. The insinuation within the document is clear for all to see - that I am taking a back-hander in respect of this planning issue. This clearly shows the cowardly tactics they are prepared to use.

“In more than ten years on the district council, apart from my basic council allowances, I have never claimed a single penny for petrol postage, or telephone expenses connected with my council commitments.

“In addition, I have served as a magistrate in Thanet for the last ten years, and have been a volunteer driver for Thanet Mencap for nearly 20 years, without payment of any kind. I wonder if the perpetrators of this sick campaign give any time to the local community.”

Cllr Kirby, who represents Ramsgate South on Kent County Council, said: “Until now I have treated the people behind these letters with the contempt they deserve. The implications of the latest will answered vigorously through other means.”

Cllr Kirby also referred to letters written in rhyme relating to the district council local plan and the former marina swimming pool ion Ramsgate seafront, the town’s fire damaged library, and plans to build flats on the old police station site in Cavendish Street in the town centre.