Labour candidate was senior employee at a scandal-hit housing association that was hit with over 100 reprimands by watchdog
A Labour candidate was a senior employee at a scandal-hit housing association that has been repeatedly condemned by his own party.
Andrew Lewin has worked at Clarion Housing Group – hit with more than 100 reprimands by a watchdog in just a year – as director of communications since 2021 and before that was head of external communication from 2017.
He is standing against senior Tory Grant Shapps in Welwyn Hatfield, Hertfordshire, and latest polling suggests he may take the seat the Defence Secretary has held since 2005.
But it can be revealed today that Labour politicians have been among the harshest critics of his employer – Britain's biggest social landlord – including those in his neighbouring constituency.
Last year Hertsmere Constituency Labour Party launched a campaign against Clarion, stating: 'Labour councillors around the borough have been inundated with complaints from unhappy tenants. Concerns raised include rent hikes and fire safety issues.'
Andrew Lewin (pictured) has worked at Clarion Housing Group – hit with more than 100 reprimands by a watchdog in just a year – as director of communications since 2021
Labour councillors in east London last year launched a petition about Clarion's 'persistent poor performance' including flats in Bow where 50 tenants were left without running water for a week.
Last night a Conservative Campaign Headquarters source said: 'With even Labour councillors attacking the landlord, how can Welwyn Hatfield voters trust Mr Lewin to represent them in Parliament?' The Mail approached Mr Lewin for comment.
A Clarion spokesman said: 'We have worked hard to learn from any areas where we could have provided a more positive customer experience.
'Mr Lewin took an immediate leave of absence from the organisation when the election was called on May 22.'
