A Bromley headteacher closed her school gates today (May 22) in an alleged attempt to prevent residents from casting votes.

Amanda Buck, who heads up Scott’s Park Primary School near Sundridge Park, stopped visitors from parking at the designated polling station this morning.

Chairman of Bickley Conservatives, Kevin Taylor, said he went down to the school after receiving several complaints from locals.

He thinks it was a deliberate attempt to deter voters and believes it may have been a protest against certain political standings.

Mr Taylor, 41, of St Georges Road, said: “The gate was shut. I think it’s outrageous. There’s parking at the school but nowhere to park in the area.

“We had complaints from a number of people – disabled people and the elderly said they couldn’t get to the door to get in and vote.

“We’ve put in a complaint to the Electoral Commission.”

He also mentioned the presiding officer at the site had also had complaints from residents.

Bromley Council this afternoon confirmed the news but said the issue was “fixed very quickly”.

A spokeswoman said: “It happened this morning. We had a phone call. The headteacher had locked the gate when they were not meant to.

“We made a quick visit down there and sorted it out. As soon as we were informed that the gates to the car park at Scott’s Park School were only being opened on request, one of our electoral team visited the school and arranged for the gates to be opened permanently throughout the day.

"The gates allowing pedestrian access were open throughout. There is no requirement for a polling station to provide a car park, however we do try to secure some onsite parking wherever possible.”

Many across the borough have today been turning out to vote in local council and European elections. 

UKIP leader Nigel Farage was spotted at Cudham Primary School in Biggin Hill to register at the ballot box.

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