�Candidates have been �announced for the by-election to replace a councillor who resigned over alleged benefit �irregularities.

The contest is being held on August 11 to fill the vacant seat in St Peter’s ward after the resignation of its Labour Cllr Shelley Coupland.

She appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 29 accused of failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions that she was paid for council duties between 2006 and 2008 which resulted in an alleged overpayment of �11,343.

The main political parties, apart from the Liberal Democrats, have this week revealed their candidates.

Alice Perry, 30, employed as the head of alumni at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, is representing the Labour Party.

Ms Perry, who grew up in the borough, said: “My priorities are more affordable housing, job opportunities for �local people and defending the NHS.”

Richard Bunting, 38, a �married father-of-two working in IT and finance, has been chosen by the Islington Conservative Party.

Mr Bunting, its party chairman, said: “I want to be an independent voice for the whole borough. In Boris Johnson’s home patch we want to show it has got a strong �Conservative presence.”

Activists

Housing activists Dr Brian Potter and Martin Rutherford, chairman of the Popham Estate residents association, are standing to campaign against Homes for Islington (HfI). They said: “We want to return all property to Islington Council and close down HfI.”

Caroline Allen, a vet at Canonbury �Veterinary Practice on Essex Road, is the Green Party �selection who wants to “champion a greener fairer �Islington”.

St Peter’s ward residents not on the electoral role must register to vote by July 27 at the latest. A full list of candidates will be published next Tuesday.