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A printer has apologised and taken “full responsibility” after a Reform UK leaflet was sent out that omitted a required marker confirming it was party endorsed.
The letter from a “local pensioner” was delivered for Reform UK to constituents in the Gorton and Denton by-election, signed by a “concerned neighbour” detailing why she was no longer voting for Labour.
However, it was flagged by some residents that the letter did not include the ‘imprint’ that identifies the promoter, in this case Reform UK, which is required by the Electoral Commission. Any failure to include this is an offence enforceable by the local police.
Turn Left Media highlighted the letter on 6 February on social media and reported the incident to the Electoral Commission.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed later that day that they would be investigating the matter, as reported in the Manchester Evening News.
In response, a Reform spokesman said the omission was the result of a supplier error, with print ready proofs containing the legal imprint. It added that an issue occurred during the printing process, against the knowledge of the party.
The printer, Hardings Print Solutions, has since apologised to the party and constituents and put the unfortunate incident down to an error in the final trimming stage of production.
A Hardings Print Solutions spokesman said: “Hardings Printers has identified an error in the production of election leaflets printed and distributed on behalf of Reform UK for the Gordon & Denton by-election (sic). We take our responsibilities in relation to election material very seriously and take full responsibility for this error occurring.
“Reform UK did not request or authorise the removal of the imprint. The omission arose from Hardings Printers’ production process.
“The party supplied artwork which correctly included the legally required imprint, and a compliant proof was produced and approved. During the final trimming stage of production, the imprint was inadvertently removed due to an internal error at Hardings Printers, which was not identified before distribution.
“We apologise to Reform UK and the voters of Gordon & Denton (sic) for this error.”
A spokesperson for the Reform party said: “The campaign commissioned a letter from a local constituent which was supplied to our print contractor with the full and correct legal imprint, fully compliant with election law.
“Print ready proofs were provided by the supplier and approved by the campaign. Those proofs clearly included the legal imprint in the correct form.
“It has since become clear that an error occurred during the printing process. Due to a production failure by a third party print supplier outside of Reform’s control, the legal imprint was inadvertently removed at the point of printing without our knowledge.
“At no stage did the campaign know about, authorise or intend the distribution of material without a legal imprint. The omission arose solely from a supplier error after compliant materials had been submitted and approved.”
In a statement to the BBC, the Electoral Commission said: “All printed material promoting a candidate at an election is required to include an imprint identifying the promoter and printer of the material, so voters know who is responsible for it.
“Failing to include an imprint in candidate election material is an offence.
“Enforcement of imprint requirements for candidate material is a matter for the police.”
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