A candidate in Thursday’s council elections has complained that a letter promoting a rival breached election regulations.
George Freeman says the letter from MSP Maurice Corry, sent to voters in the Lomond North ward on behalf of fellow Conservative Barbara Morgan, does not include an ‘imprint’ – details of who published and printed it.
In an email to Charles Reppke, Argyll and Bute Council’s head of governance and law, he said the imprint was a legal requirement.
“I am sure that the other candidates, like me, will be concerned that one candidate / political party may be breaking the law with regards to this matter,” he added.
“They may also have concerns that an MSP is promoting one particular candidate while failing to comply with the legal requirements on imprints.
“As you may appreciate, some of the more vulnerable within our society may consider that the word of an MSP carries more weight than that of others within our communities.”
Barbara Morgan confirmed on Monday that some leaflets had been produced and distributed without this information and said it was a mistake.
She added: “We have corrected that today, by redistributing these very same letters with a postcard also of mine to all in Garelochhead now with the correct ‘Promoted and Printed by‘ on them .
“I had also taken the time to put a copy of the amended letter from Maurice Corry through George Freeman’s letter box for his records .
“I hope that this will clarify and show prompt amendment of any mistake that has been made and all is well “
A council spokesperson said: “Literature should include imprint details. Any formal complaints should be reported to Police Scotland.”
All bar one of the candidates for the Lomond North ward have supplied information and answered questions for this website – to see their views click here.
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