Former Clerk and Chairman of Braddan Commissioners Charles 'Buster' Lewin is attempting to make what would be an extraordinary return to local politics.

Mr Lewin, who was sacked as Clerk to the local authority for alleged serious misconduct a year ago today, says he submitted his papers first thing this morning.

He says he wants to put Braddan back on the map and is concentrating on quality of services for rate payers following, what he calls, an 'obscene' nine per cent increase in rates.

Mr Lewin was a member of the parish board for four years from 1986, and served as Clerk for 17 years from September 1990.

Investigations into his dismissal are ongoing, and he is due to give evidence to the Select Committee of Tynwald into the affairs of Braddan Commissioners on April 11.

Another issue which will add to interest in his candidacy is the recent claim in Tynwald, by Local Government Minister John Shimmin, that Mr Lewin failed to give a true picture of Braddan Commissioners' financial position when he left, a year ago.

According to Mr Shimmin, Mr Lewin indicated they were in a surplus or break-even position, when they were ?250,000 in the red.

Mr Lewin said he only saw the monthly accounts after they had been checked over by the local authority's accountants, and any decisions relating to finances were made by the commissioners themselves.

Nominations for next month's local authority general election close at 5pm today.

(Image: Charles Lewin handing in his nomination papers this morning).