A LIBERAL Democrat councillor who was expelled from the party has denied all the allegations made against her.

Cllr Sera Kentman, who is currently the subject of a police investigation, says she was not thrown out of the Liberal Democrat party, as the leader of the group had said on March 8.

Instead she claims she decided not to renew her membership as she had concerns about being a victim of racism within the party, which she claims does not encourage ethnic minority recruitment.

She also claims she is not an undischarged bankrupt and denies allegations from Lewisham Council's Liberal Democrat leader Mark Morris about her financial position.

According to her, the £9,000 overpayment of housing benefit on a house in Nesbit Close, Blackheath, goes back eight years and was paid to someone else.

She denies owing any outstanding council tax payments for the whole of 2006/7.

And she claims she has never used different names, but has been a victim of identity theft.

News Shopper previously reported how insolvency practitioner Keith Stevens, who dealt with the case, confirmed a Julia Kibris, one of the other names allegedly used by Cllr Kentman, was made bankrupt in 2004 and was still an undischarged bankrupt.

The Insolvency Register lists Sera Kentman and her alternative names, Julia Kibris, Hulya Kibris, Feliz Guner and Hulya Guner.

But Cllr Kentman, who says she is living with friends in Greenwich, also refutes claims she stood illegally at last year's elections.

She said: "The person who was made bankrupt was not me.

"The allegation about the property in Nesbit Close is not in my name either.

"The charge on the house goes back eight or nine years and belongs to someone else."

She said she has started action against this person, who she claims now lives overseas.

Cllr Kentman's property in Nesbit Close, Blackheath, was repossessed by bailiffs on March 9.

The repossession warrant was issued by Croydon County Court during a bankruptcy hearing, which Cllr Kentman claims was held without her knowledge.

Police have confirmed an investigation is continuing.

Cllr Kentman added: "If it's fraud, it should be investigated, because lots of people have lived at the address.

"I did not stand illegally last year.

"Why would I stand for public office if all this was going on?"

Cllr Mark Morris said: "She was thrown out for good reasons.

"For her to be saying such things is incredibly offensive."

He added: "It's truly appalling.

"To accuse people of being racist is unbelievable.

"We are passionate about being an inclusive party."