This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/15/vote-leave-banned-save-nhs-leaflets-found-london-guys-hospital-wards
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Vote Leave 'save our NHS' leaflets found on London hospital's wards | Vote Leave 'save our NHS' leaflets found on London hospital's wards |
| (5 months later) | |
| Leaflets produced by the Vote Leave campaign warning of the supposed dangers of the EU to the NHS have been found on wards at a London hospital – despite being banned by officials and being the subject of potential legal action. | Leaflets produced by the Vote Leave campaign warning of the supposed dangers of the EU to the NHS have been found on wards at a London hospital – despite being banned by officials and being the subject of potential legal action. |
| The leaflets have been found on several occasions at Guy’s hospital in central London, in the cardiology ward and other areas. | The leaflets have been found on several occasions at Guy’s hospital in central London, in the cardiology ward and other areas. |
| It is not known who distributed the leaflets but their presence goes against the hospital’s policy on such materials. The Vote Leave campaign, which is pushing for Britain to exit the EU in the June referendum, said it had not arranged the leafleting. | It is not known who distributed the leaflets but their presence goes against the hospital’s policy on such materials. The Vote Leave campaign, which is pushing for Britain to exit the EU in the June referendum, said it had not arranged the leafleting. |
| A spokeswoman for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS foundation trust said: “We do not allow external organisations to hand out or leave flyers on our sites without our permission. As an NHS trust, we are very conscious of the need to remain politically impartial and do not permit campaigning activities on our premises. | A spokeswoman for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS foundation trust said: “We do not allow external organisations to hand out or leave flyers on our sites without our permission. As an NHS trust, we are very conscious of the need to remain politically impartial and do not permit campaigning activities on our premises. |
| “We have alerted our security team to the Vote Leave campaign leaving flyers at Guy’s hospital and have asked for them to be removed.” | “We have alerted our security team to the Vote Leave campaign leaving flyers at Guy’s hospital and have asked for them to be removed.” |
| The leaflets at the hospital bear the official NHS logo, with the message “save our NHS” in the top right corner. Below, a message tells readers: “Help protect your local hospital.” And in the bottom right corner is the campaign’s slogan: “Vote Leave, take control.” | The leaflets at the hospital bear the official NHS logo, with the message “save our NHS” in the top right corner. Below, a message tells readers: “Help protect your local hospital.” And in the bottom right corner is the campaign’s slogan: “Vote Leave, take control.” |
| On the back it asks whether it is safer “to keep sending hundreds of millions to the EU every week, or vote to put that money into our priorities like the NHS and the Cancer Drugs Fund?” | On the back it asks whether it is safer “to keep sending hundreds of millions to the EU every week, or vote to put that money into our priorities like the NHS and the Cancer Drugs Fund?” |
| Government lawyers, acting on behalf of NHS England, wrote to Vote Leave last month threatening to sue if it did not take the leaflets out of public circulation by 8 March because of their use of the NHS logo. | Government lawyers, acting on behalf of NHS England, wrote to Vote Leave last month threatening to sue if it did not take the leaflets out of public circulation by 8 March because of their use of the NHS logo. |
| Under brand guidelines, the NHS logo should be used only in its official communications in support of “core principles and values”. The campaign had previously ignored a letter from the Department of Health. | Under brand guidelines, the NHS logo should be used only in its official communications in support of “core principles and values”. The campaign had previously ignored a letter from the Department of Health. |
| The Britain Stronger in Europe campaign, the official remain campaign, has said that Brexit would put NHS services at risk. “Leaving Europe would damage our economy and mean less money to invest in the NHS. Only staying in Europe will protect our NHS,” its website says. | The Britain Stronger in Europe campaign, the official remain campaign, has said that Brexit would put NHS services at risk. “Leaving Europe would damage our economy and mean less money to invest in the NHS. Only staying in Europe will protect our NHS,” its website says. |
| A Vote Leave spokesman said: “Vote Leave is not aware of, nor has it arranged any leafleting on the grounds of the hospital. Neither would we encourage activists to do so.” | A Vote Leave spokesman said: “Vote Leave is not aware of, nor has it arranged any leafleting on the grounds of the hospital. Neither would we encourage activists to do so.” |
| Earlier this week, the Electoral Commission designated Vote Leave, fronted by Michael Gove and Boris Johnson, as the official Brexit campaign. | Earlier this week, the Electoral Commission designated Vote Leave, fronted by Michael Gove and Boris Johnson, as the official Brexit campaign. |