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LABOUR has accused an East Lancashire Conservative MP of being ‘disrespectful’ to the late Queen after his update leaflets were distributed to households earlier this week.
The documents from Burnley Tory backbencher Antony Higginbotham give an account of his recent activities.
His Labour opponent at the next General Election Oliver Ryan has accused him of breaking the moratorium on political campaigning during the period of national mourning following last week’s death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Mr Higginbotham has hit back by saying the leaflets has been sent to the Royal Mail weeks ago and he was unable to prevent their distribution after least week’s tragic event.
Every political party had pledged to give the country time to grieve and stop political campaigning until after the State Funeral of the Queen;
Cliviger resident Mr Ryan said: “Many residents have told me they’re disgusted to receive this communication from our Tory MP.
“Frankly, regardless of politics, this is hugely disrespectful during a period of national mourning when campaigning by all political parties is meant to have been cancelled out of respect for our beloved late Queen.
“This is just not on, but unfortunately this is Antony Higginbotham all over, he says one thing while doing another, always with self interest at heart.
“I seriously hope Burnley taxpayers aren’t footing the bill for his leaflets.”
Mr Higginbotham said: “It is disappointing to see the Labour Party and their out of town candidate campaigning by press release during this period of mourning.
“Leaflets updating residents on what I have been doing for them were sent to the Royal Mail a number of weeks ago for delivery and unfortunately, despite trying, it wasn’t possible to stop them in time.
“All political activity, online and offline, has been paused by both I and the local Conservative Party out of respect and will not restart until after Her Majesty’s funeral.”
