Party 'needs to stop' as criticism of fake election newspapers

Liberal Democrats in Oxfordshire have been told they "need to stop" after circulating more fake newspapers ahead of the General Election.

The Oxford West and Abingdon Observer and Bicester and Woodstock Observer were among newspapers for two constituencies targeted by the party.

One Liberal Democrat campaigner set out to deliver the material saying "love a high quality local newspaper".

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Conservative county council leader Eddie Reeves said: "The Liberal Democrats routinely deliver fake newspapers as part of their campaigning techniques.

"Oxford West and Abingdon Observer, Bicester and Woodstock Observer, and the list goes on. They always appear with plausible, objective titles, yet none of them are bona fide independent newspapers produced by professional journalists.

"It is a duplicitous strategy and it needs to stop.

"Until there is a change in the law to enable the Electoral Commission to put a stop to them, the Lib Dems will of course continue."

Eddie Reeves. (Image: Contribution.)

The Lib Dems were also criticised in September last year for sending out fake newspaper election material in the form of the South Oxfordshire Observer.

But Green county councillor Ian Middleton said he thought the Conservatives are actually the most prolific offenders of distributing fake election material.

Mr Middleton said: "I'd say probably one of the worst examples I've seen is the Conservatives put one out that looked like Hello Magazine.

Ian Middleton. (Image: Other.)

"The Conservative police and crime commissioner (PCC) Matthew Barber also sent out emails during Covid to parish clerks calling it the 'crime bulletin'.

"For all intents and purposes it looked like communication from the police.

"I made a complaint at the time."

A campaigner circulates the 'Bicester and Woodstock Observer'. (Image: Contribution.)

On the topic of the Liberal Democrat election flyers, he said he supposed it was "questionable" but "fine if they make it clear it's election communication".

He said the distribution of such material was "dubious practice" and he didn't think it was "anything the Greens would do".

We approached incumbent Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran for comment but she did not respond.

More Lib Dem election material. (Image: Noor Qurashi.)

We also did not receive a response from PCC Mr Barber.

Labour county councillor Duncan Enright said: "Labour election materials carry the traditional red with the union flag for a reason: we are proud of our plan for the future and would like to offer a message of change, growth and country first.

Duncan Enright. (Image: Other.)

"But vote will only happen if you vote for it on Thursday."

The General Election is taking place on July 4 and you will have between 7am and 10pm to cast your decision.

You must be registered to vote and are required to bring photo ID.