Furious Row Blows Up Over Ealing Central and Acton Hustings
Labour deny retracting leaflet which Tory says was a condition of her attendance
(photo courtesy @actonconservatives)
The row over an election leaflet issued by the Labour party in Ealing Central and Acton and the attendance of the Conservative candidate at a hustings has continued with both sides contradicting each other's version of events.
The Conservative party in Ealing Central and Acton earlier claimed Labour had withdrawn 'offensive' campaign material after threats of legal action.
Their candidate, Joy Morrissey, had objected to literature distributed in the constituency on behalf of Rupa Huq highlighting the issues of Ealing Hospital and Brexit which included statements which she claimed were 'blatant lies'.
She said that it was incorrect of Labour to imply that Ealing Hospital was closing and to describe her as being in favour of a hard Brexit. Letters have been sent to Rupa Huq's agent by Ms Morrissey and her lawyer warning that legal action is being considered over the content of the leaflet.
Ms Morrissey pulled out of the National Union of Teachers' hustings at Ealing Town Hall which was focusing on education on Thursday 25 May and said at that point she wouldn't take part in any others until a retraction was made.
A statement was issued on behalf of the Labour candidate Rupa Huq which refused to consider a retraction and stated that 'The Tory candidate's tantrum is an insult to residents'.
It went on to say, "It was entirely predictable that The Tory candidate would refuse to debate, given her record on the NHS and Brexit. She has lashed out at our campaign because she knows she cannot confront the facts."
In the event Joy Morrissey attended a hustings held at St Mary's Church in Acton on Tuesday evening (30 May).
Local Conservatives tweeted that Labour had withdrawn their 'offensive' leaflet saying that they were delighted to hear it and that 'Lies & bullying have no place here.'
Joy tells us Rupa & Ealing Labour campaign have withdrawn their offensive leaflet. Delighted to hear it.
— Acton CONSERVATIVES (@ActonCONSERVAT1) May 31, 2017
Lies & bullying have no place here. pic.twitter.com/PG9pDdBDuv
Ms Morrissey points to an email in which Chris Hurley Chair of the Churchfield Community Association told the group's membership, "We remain hopeful that she will attend in light of the leaflet she dislikes having been withdrawn - I was told this by Rupa yesterday."
A spokesperson for Dr Huq denied that any campaign material had been withdrawn saying, “We haven’t withdrawn anything and we stand by all our literature”
The local party also stated that no leaflets had been withdrawn on their Twitter account.
To be clear @ECATories, we have withdrawn no leaflets and we stand by all our literature. #SaveOurHospitals #BrexitTory pic.twitter.com/nX2qmFkdo6
— Ealing Labour Party (@EalingLabour) May 31, 2017
Joy Morrissey responded to this by saying, "I am disappointed to hear that Rupa Huq has taken less than 24 hours to withdraw her admission, which she confirmed to the CCA chair Chris Hurley, myself and countless members of the public, that her election literature had been withdrawn. It is nothing more than another example of her attempting to deceive the electorate. I am very disappointed that she has gone back on her word. But delighted that her withdrawal of the leaflet and the falsehoods it contained allowed me to be able to take part in the Acton Hustings which I thoroughly enjoyed."
The campaign in the constituency continues to be a fractious one. Ealing Conservatives have called the police after a wall had been damaged and a hoarding removed from their office building. Joy Morrissey has claimed that protestors gathered outside her house one evening frightening her young daughter.
There are three candidates for the Ealing Central and Acton constituency.
- Jon Ball - Liberal Democrat
- Rupa Huq - Labour
- Joy Morrissey - Conservative
It was gained for Labour in 2015 by Rupa Huq with a majority of just over 200 votes.
31 May 2017 ( updated)