UKIP Northants PCC candidate accuses Tory rival of using EU leaflet as ‘Trojan horse’ for campaign literature
The Conservative candidate for the Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election says he will be making a complaint to Royal Mail after his promotional leaflet was delivered inside the Government’s European Union (EU) pamphlet.
Thousands of homes in Northampton and Daventry have received a booklet from Stephen Mold in the past couple of days, which was placed inside the tax payer-funded booklet that states the case for staying in the EU.
Mr Mold said he was “disappointed” Royal Mail had delivered the leaflets together as this had not been intended.
He said: “This election is very important to people across Northamptonshire, I wanted to make sure that every household heard from me as the candidate.
“The role of Police and Crime Commissioner is an important one and it’s vital that residents hear from all candidates ahead of polling day. I am disappointed that the Royal Mail have delivered this inside other literature and I will be taking this matter up with them.’
But UKIP PCC candidate Sam Watts said he had reported the matter to the Electoral Commission as he believes the move has given voters the impression Mr Mold is endorsed by the Government.
He said: “Whilst the EU leaflets are themselves subject to public outcry I must state that it is not right, nor fair for these leaflets to be used as a Trojan horse for Mr Mold’s campaign literature.
“By association it could be seen that Mr Mold is being endorsed by the Government something that only acts against any sense of a fair and balanced election campaign.”