Police investigate Tory candidate after using Labor and Reform style sign

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Police are reviewing allegations that a Conservative candidate has been misleading voters by using a Labor-style backdrop for his election campaign.

Robert Largan, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for High Peak, posted the banners on social media which appeared to use graphic styles for Reform and rival Labor with just a small disclaimer in the bottom corner.

Mr Largan posted a photo of himself in an X in front of a red background and the words “Labor for Largan”.

The Conservative candidate for High Peak, who won the Derbyshire seat with a razor-thin majority of 590 in 2019, tweeted: “Many local Labor voters have told me they are going to vote for me, because they want to keep me as their local MP.

“There have been so many that I am launching a new Labor for Largan club.”

Responding to a Labor voter who called the campaign “pathetic”, he doubled down with another tongue-in-cheek Reform Party-style poster.

The Conservative oak silhouette logo appears faint in the background, and a small disclaimer in the bottom corner says the ad is “on behalf of Robert Largan of High Peak Conservatives.”

It links to their website, which also appears to adopt the Green Party’s color scheme.

Derbyshire Police posted on An incident has been created and will be reviewed.”

A conservative spokesman said The independent: “The materials clearly bear impressions, as required by the electoral law.”

A spokesman for Robert Largan said The Telegraph: “As Mr Largan’s social media and website posts make very clear, a large number of traditional Labor voters have contacted him to tell him they plan to vote for him, even though he is a Conservative candidate . The same goes for supporters of reform. This is due to Mr Largan’s strong delivery record at High Peak.

“Therefore, supporter clubs of traditional Labor and Reform voters have been set up, to allow people to tell Mr Largan that they support him. These are called Labor for Largan and Reform for Robert. These types of clubs are not a new phenomenon.

“It is worth noting that all of Mr Largan’s election leaflets clearly state that he is the Conservative candidate and are in full compliance with electoral law. He is well known in High Peak as a local Conservative candidate.

“His name will appear on the ballot as a Conservative candidate.” No one voting in High Peak could be confused on this point. Those who claim otherwise seem to have a very low opinion of the people of High Peak.”

The Electoral Commission said: “When it comes to campaigning, the Commission is responsible for ensuring that campaign material from parties and activists includes information to identify the person or organization that has caused its publication. This is known as a footprint.

“Our remit does not extend to the content or style of campaign material. This is not subject to regulation by any UK body. “The digital print regime gives voters more information about who is trying to communicate with them online, including activists and political parties.

“Voters should check for a printout if they have concerns about the source of the material. We encourage all candidates to consider how voters will understand their campaign materials.”

It came after Largan found himself in trouble for publishing a newsletter called High Peak Reporter in his Derbyshire constituency.

The High Peak MP’s office apologized, insisting it had made a real mistake in choosing the name after the owner of a former independent title of the same name said the MP’s publication was misleading voters.