An NHS Lincolnshire board member who is running as a parliamentary candidate has said she has been forced to step down from her role on the board.

Marianne Overton, who is running as an independent candidate for the the Sleaford and North Hykeham seat, said she was told to resign from the board before she put her name forward in the forthcoming election.

Ms Overton said: “I have done what is required of me as I can serve the people of Lincolnshire better as an MP. But I think it would have been helpful to have a system that encourages people with expertise to stand as MPs.

“Parliament needs people who know what they are talking about and how national guidance and laws are translated on the ground.”

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Ms Overton was a non-executive director of NHS Lincolnshire. She was also a county and district councillor.

But Rachel Scoley, of NHS Lincolnshire, said election candidates must give written consent to their nomination to the returning officer under the terms of the Representation of the People Act 1983.

And they must also show they are aware of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975.

Ms Scoley said: “Under this legislation, chairmen and non-executive members of NHS trusts, NHS foundation trusts, strategic health authorities and primary care trust boards are disqualified from membership of the House of Commons and would therefore have to resign from their post before consenting to their nomination as a candidate at the election.”

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