Oxford city councillors will take no further action over claims that the chairman of the housing committee was not entitled to stand for election, writes Madeleine Pennell.

Liberal Democrat councillor David Connett was investigated after it emerged that when he stood for election for the Cherwell ward in May, he may not have met the criteria for being a candidate.

Candidates have to be a voter in Oxford, live in the city for a year before polling day or have their principal place of work in the city. Cllr Connett lives in Tamar Crescent, Bicester, and runs a number of companies in west Oxfordshire, but on his nomination papers he listed his place of work as 266 Banbury Road, Oxford.

Labour leader Alex Hollingsworth asked members at a meeting of the full council last night whether Cllr Connett was being accurate about his place of work, claiming that the Banbury Road address was no more than a mailing address. Cllr Hollingsworth added: "If a person was homeless and they put inaccurate information on a form they may not be entitled to be housed. Should there be one rule for councillors and another rule for everyone else?"

But Cllr Paul Ingram said: "This council has no jurisdiction to follow this issue. It is for any resident of the said ward to take it to the courts."

Cllr Connett, who did not speak in the debate, had earlier denied any wrong-doing.