More Dirty Politics In Runup To Elections.

Candidate for the European Parliament Jonathan Arnott, at the Sage, Gateshead.

Accusations of dirty politics have been made in Northumberland after UKIP had to deny writing an election letter calling for mothers to lose state benefits. Across south-east Northumberland, senior Labour figures received a letter claiming to be from a Newcastle UKIP candidate calling for an end to welfare for mothers after nine months and a demand that jobseekers never get more than the minimum wage. However, UKIP has said the letter is an obvious fake, pointing out that the return address appears to be to a Labour Party freepost address.Last night the party said it was considering complaining to the Electoral Commission, though it was unclear who had written the letter.UKIP general secretary Jonathan Arnott said: “This letter is a disgusting hoax. Investigation reveals that the freepost given actually belongs to the Labour Party. If we hadn’t noticed this deception, an innocent woman could have been falsely branded as racist. At first sight it looks like the Labour Party were responsible, and I’m appalled that our opponents could stoop so low. “The Labour Party should suspend its south-east Northumberland branch and hold a full investigation.“We are considering all options at present, including reporting the matter to the police or the Electoral Commission.” Northern Journal.