SENIOR Hyndburn politician Clare Pritchard is back in front-line Labour politics after the party lifted her suspension from office.

She will take her seat as chairman of Lancashire County Council’s audit and governance committee on Monday, March 30.

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Her ordeal started in May last year, just before the local-government elections, when her father Malcolm alleged she had committed electoral fraud.

It triggered a police investigation and her suspension from Labour office and the Lancashire County Council Labour group. She lost her Milnshaw ward seat on Hyndburn council to her father, now in Ukip, by 112 votes.

Last night, Cllr Clare Pritchard said: “I am very happy. It is business as usual.

“It has been very traumatic. I maintained throughout that I had done nothing wrong. I am glad everybody came to the same conclusion.

“I have not spoken to my father and probably will not speak to him again.

“I can now go back to full work as county councillor for Accrington North.”

In December, the Lancashire Telegraph revealed the Crown Prosecution Service had decided against taking her to court.

The CPS said: “After carefully considering the file from Lancashire police, the CPS has decided that no further action should be taken.”

Yesterday, a Labour North West spokesman said: “Following the outcome of an investigation, the membership suspension of Cllr Clare Pritchard has been lifted.”

A spokesman for the county council’s Labour group said: “Clare has faced a difficult and prolonged period. We welcome her back to full membership of the Labour group.”

Cllr Malcolm Pritchard said: “No comment.”

Hyndburn Labour MP Graham Jones said: “I am pleased Clare got the result she wanted.”