Reform UK Faces Police Investigation Over Byelection Letter Imprint Breach
Reform UK is set to undergo a police investigation in the Gorton and Denton constituency after admitting to sending out letters from a "concerned neighbour" that lacked the legally mandated imprint. This omission, which fails to state the material was funded and distributed by the party, constitutes a breach of electoral law, as confirmed by Greater Manchester police and the Electoral Commission.
Details of the Electoral Law Violation
Dozens of voters in Gorton and Denton reported receiving these letters on Friday, penned in a handwriting-style font and attributed to a local pensioner named Patricia Clegg, aged 74. Clegg, who confirmed her membership with Reform UK, stated she was asked by the party to write the letter but was unaware of the legal requirement for an imprint. The letters criticised Labour and the Greens, claiming tax rises have cost pensioners an extra £160 and highlighting concerns over Green party policies.
A Reform spokesperson attributed the error to a printing mishap, explaining that the campaign had provided the correct legal imprint to their contractor, Hardings Print Solutions in Middlesex, but it was "inadvertently removed" during the printing process. The printer has taken full responsibility for the mistake, though Reform insists the campaign did not authorise or intend to distribute material without the imprint.
Police and Electoral Commission Response
Greater Manchester police confirmed receiving a report about the breach on Friday evening and announced they will investigate the matter. The Electoral Commission emphasised that all printed material promoting a candidate must include an imprint identifying the promoter and printer, with enforcement falling under police jurisdiction. This incident has sparked criticism from political opponents, with Labour accusing Reform of failing to meet basic legal requirements and the Greens alleging dirty tactics in the closely fought byelection.
Political Reactions and Byelection Context
In response, Labour's campaign political lead, Andrew Western MP, stated that campaigns are responsible for their door-to-door materials, and blaming a printer does not excuse the legal failure. Meanwhile, the Green party accused Reform of "playing dirty" and urged voters to support their candidate, Hannah Spencer, to counter what they describe as Reform's politics of division. The byelection in Gorton and Denton is expected to be a tight race among Labour, the Greens, and Reform, with all parties claiming momentum towards victory.
This investigation highlights the importance of transparency in electoral campaigns and could impact voter perceptions in a constituency where issues like tax policies and public services are key battlegrounds. As the police probe unfolds, it remains to be seen how this legal breach will influence the outcome of the byelection and Reform UK's campaign strategies moving forward.
