Campaign material used by a Conservative candidate seeking re-election as an MP is being reviewed by police amid complaints that it makes him appear as if he is standing for Labour.
Robert Largan had posted a picture of his face on X superimposed on to a red background along with the slogan “Labour for Largan”.
The police involvement came as the Electoral Commission said that it would encourage all candidates to consider how voters would understand their campaign materials.
Only the faint silhouette of the Tory oak in the background and a legal text at the bottom stating the advert is being promoted on behalf of the candidate for High Peak Conservatives in Derbyshire give away that Largan is standing for Rishi Sunak’s party.
Derbyshire police said on Sunday: “We wish to confirm that we have received a number of messages in relation to claims of election fraud, raised due to concerns around marketing material. An incident has been created and will be reviewed.”
Largan also posted a similar advert in the colours of Reform UK, with the slogan “Reform for Robert”.
His official homepage makes no mention of his party’s leader, and the colour green dominates. His profile on X states: “Vote Local. Vote Largan.”
Largan tweeted: “So many local Labour voters have told me they’re going to vote for me, because they want to keep me as their local MP. There have been so many that I’m launching a new Labour for Largan club.”
He is defending one of the most marginal Tory-held seats, where he won with a majority of just 590 at the 2019 general election.
A Conservative party spokesperson said: “The materials clearly carry imprints, as required by electoral law.”
The Electoral Commission said that it was responsible for ensuring that campaign material by parties and campaigners included imprints to identify the person or organisation which had caused it to be published.
“Our remit does not extend to the content or style of campaign material. This is not subject to regulation by any UK body.”
It added: “We encourage all candidates to consider how voters will understand their campaign materials.”
Largan, who had been a government whip, was attacked by his Labour challenger, Jon Pearce, who tweeted: “Labour – accept no imitations. (Especially not Tory whips who gave us the cost of living crisis, nearly 8 million people on NHS waiting lists & raw sewage pumped into High Peak rivers).”
Other users of social media suggested there had been a breach of rules.
Andrew Kingdon, a Liberal Democrat councillor at Broxtowe borough council, Nottingham, tweeted: “This ought to be an offence, just like calling yourself a ‘Literal Democrat’ or the ‘Conversative party’, both outlawed by the Electoral Commission. If you can’t stand on your own record and party platform then don’t stand at all.”
