Labour ‘attack’ leaflets passed on to police

May 1 2008 by Andrew Harrison, Glamorgan Gazette

LABOUR leaflets that include personal attacks on an election rival have been passed to the police.

But unlike in Coity, where police swooped on the home of 73-year-old independent candidate Ella Dodd, the Labour candidates in Maesteg East had not been questioned as the Gazette went to press.

Independent candidate and sitting councillor Bill Evans complained to South Wales Police after continued personal attacks were printed in Labour Party leaflets in the ward.

But Labour candidate Mal Reeves said he was prepared to “vigorously defend” the Llynfi Labour leaflet and any police involvement would be a “waste of valuable resources”.

“Labour’s leaflet attacking me bears no relationship with the truth and I have handed it to the Maesteg Police inspector with my complaint and he has passed it on to the relevant officer,” said Coun Evans.

“The Labour Party must be short of promotional material because all they keep putting out is the same rubbish about me.

“They should be saying what they are going to do rather than attacking other people.

“I took the leaflet to the council’s electoral department and was told it was a police matter. I think it’s misleading to put pictures of the MP and AM on a leaflet as people are not voting for them and they are now representatives of the people and shouldn’t be used in this way.

“I think their claim that a vote for an independent is a vote for the Tories is below the belt and I’ve already addressed their false claims about me wanting a cabinet position and supporting the meals on wheels changes.

“I was in the Labour Party for 40 years and never stooped this low.

“This is the worst election battle I’ve fought in terms of personal attacks.”

But Mr Reeves, who is also agent for Ogmore MP Huw Irranca-Davies, was unrepentant about the leaflets.

“The police haven’t been in contact with us but we’re quite happy to speak to them and vigorously defend our Maesteg East leaflets,” he said.

“We will not be gagged or bullied into silence by Bill Evans but will continue to speak up for the interests of the people of Maesteg.

“This complaint is a waste of valuable police time and resources and the fact is that Bill Evans’s vote has kept the Tories in power in Bridgend and has led to the slashing of budgets from frontline services in our community.”