London Tory MP Candidate Withdraws Campaign Leaflets After Police Complaint

A Conservative Party candidate for a west London seat has been forced to withdraw campaign leaflets after a complaint was made to the police about their content. Saima Ashraf, who is standing for the Ealing Central and Acton constituency, has withdrawn leaflets that featured images of the Labour candidate, Rupa Huq, alongside the words “Stop Labour’s Extremism.” The Metropolitan Police confirmed that they had received a complaint about the leaflets and were investigating the matter. Ms. Ashraf apologized for any offense caused by the leaflets and said she had withdrawn them from circulation. “I understand that the leaflets were not appropriate, and I sincerely apologize for any offense caused,” she said in a statement. “I have withdrawn them from circulation and will be working with my team to ensure that all future campaign materials are appropriate and respectful.” Ms. Huq said she was “disappointed” by the leaflets and called on Ms. Ashraf to withdraw them. “These leaflets are clearly designed to stir up division and hatred,” she said. “I am disappointed that Ms. Ashraf has chosen to resort to such tactics.” The incident has prompted criticism of the Conservative Party’s campaign tactics, with some accusing the party of engaging in “dog-whistle politics.” A Conservative Party spokesman said the party did not condone the leaflets and that Ms. Ashraf had apologized for them. “We do not condone the use of any language that is offensive or divisive,” the spokesman said. “Ms. Ashraf has apologized for the leaflets and has withdrawn them from circulation.”Tory candidate’s campaign leaflets withdrawn after Met Police complaint

Tory candidate’s campaign leaflets withdrawn after Met Police complaint

A Conservative candidate has been forced to withdraw thousands of campaign leaflets following a complaint by the Metropolitan Police. Hannah Gray, who is standing in Beckenham and Penge in south-east London, included photos of her and police Superintendent Luke Baldock in flyers that were being sent to homes across Bromley. But the force and Mr Baldock protested that the image was used without their knowledge and was against electoral rules because it suggested the high-ranking officer was backing the Conservative candidate at the general election. At least several hundred of the leaflets are believed to have been posted before the mail out was stopped. A Met spokesperson said: “The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is aware of a leaflet being circulated by a candidate which included a picture of an MPS officer. “The MPS has requested the candidate to withdraw the leaflet from circulation. “The MPS is impartial and does not endorse any candidate. ++“It does not control how images of officers are used in campaign literature.” The force stressed that the photo had been taken before the election was called during Ms Gray’s work as a Bromley councillor. A spokesperson for Ms Gray’s campaign said: “As soon as we became aware of this issue, the delivery of these leaflets, which was done by a third party, was halted.” Labor branded the gaffe “sheer incompetence”. A Party source added: “Anyone who has ever worked on an election knows you cannot use identifiable photos of police officers in election leaflets. “At worst, it’s a cynical attempt to portray the officer as endorsing the Tory candidate. ++If they can’t even put out a leaflet properly, why would you want this person as your MP?” The Beckenham and Penge seat was newly created under the recent boundary review and is one of the most marginal constitutions in London. Former Tory MP Bob Stewart had represented Beckenham since 2010. Ms Gray, a Conservative Bromley councillor and former opera singer, is hoping to retain the constituency for the party. Liam Conlon, the son of Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff and partygate investigator Sue Gray, is standing for Labor candidate.

Tory MP Candidate’s Leaflets Withdrawn After Police Complaint

A Conservative Party candidate for Parliament in London has been forced to withdraw campaign leaflets after receiving a complaint from the police. The leaflets, which were sent to voters in the Sutton and Cheam constituency, featured a photo of the candidate, Paul Scully, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson. However, the police received a complaint that the leaflets were misleading because they gave the impression that Scully was endorsed by Johnson. The Conservative Party has since confirmed that the leaflets have been withdrawn and apologized for any confusion caused. Scully said he was “disappointed” to have to withdraw the leaflets, but said he respected the police’s decision. “I want to make it clear that I have never claimed to have the Prime Minister’s endorsement,” he said. The incident comes as the Conservative Party is facing growing pressure over its handling of allegations of Islamophobia. A recent survey found that nearly half of British Muslims believe that the Conservative Party is Islamophobic. The party has denied the allegations, but the incident involving Scully has raised further questions about its commitment to diversity and inclusion.