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Ashfield candidate faces criticism over 'fake door knock' | Ashfield candidate faces criticism over 'fake door knock' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
An election candidate has been criticised after apparently being caught out setting up a door knock while canvassing in Nottinghamshire. | An election candidate has been criticised after apparently being caught out setting up a door knock while canvassing in Nottinghamshire. |
Lee Anderson, Conservative candidate for Ashfield, was seemingly caught on a microphone arranging to call at a supporter's house. | |
Full Fact, the political fact-checking site, said such tactics "damage voter confidence in our political system". | Full Fact, the political fact-checking site, said such tactics "damage voter confidence in our political system". |
Mr Anderson and the Conservative Party have not responded to the BBC. | Mr Anderson and the Conservative Party have not responded to the BBC. |
Mr Anderson was being accompanied round the marginal seat by veteran political reporter Michael Crick, who now works for the Mail+ website. | Mr Anderson was being accompanied round the marginal seat by veteran political reporter Michael Crick, who now works for the Mail+ website. |
They called at a house where the resident not only pledged his support for the Conservatives but also urged Mr Anderson to go further with controversial policies over nuisance tenants. | They called at a house where the resident not only pledged his support for the Conservatives but also urged Mr Anderson to go further with controversial policies over nuisance tenants. |
Afterwards, it was found Mr Anderson's microphone had picked him up phoning the householder ahead of the visit, telling him to "make out you know who I am, that you know I'm the candidate but not that you are a friend". | Afterwards, it was found Mr Anderson's microphone had picked him up phoning the householder ahead of the visit, telling him to "make out you know who I am, that you know I'm the candidate but not that you are a friend". |
Mr Anderson had explained the call to the camera crew as "some leaflets have just come for me". | |
Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham, Mr Crick described Mr Anderson as a "maverick candidate". | Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham, Mr Crick described Mr Anderson as a "maverick candidate". |
He said: "I couldn't believe it when it occurred on the doorstep, that [the householder] was so extreme, and I said to Lee Anderson, 'It's almost as if all of this has been set up'. | He said: "I couldn't believe it when it occurred on the doorstep, that [the householder] was so extreme, and I said to Lee Anderson, 'It's almost as if all of this has been set up'. |
"Mr Anderson said afterwards that he had been trying to make sure that somebody was in - he didn't want us to go to a row of doors and find nobody in." | "Mr Anderson said afterwards that he had been trying to make sure that somebody was in - he didn't want us to go to a row of doors and find nobody in." |
Will Moy, CEO of Full Fact, said: "What happens on the election trail matters. | Will Moy, CEO of Full Fact, said: "What happens on the election trail matters. |
"Candidates and parties are asking voters for their trust. They should be making clear and verifiable claims, behaving in an honest manner, and proving themselves trustworthy. | "Candidates and parties are asking voters for their trust. They should be making clear and verifiable claims, behaving in an honest manner, and proving themselves trustworthy. |
"Misleading campaign techniques from parties and candidates won't only harm those who are caught out, but could damage voter confidence in our political system." | "Misleading campaign techniques from parties and candidates won't only harm those who are caught out, but could damage voter confidence in our political system." |
In the 2017 election, Labour held the seat but only with a much-reduced majority of 441. | In the 2017 election, Labour held the seat but only with a much-reduced majority of 441. |
Who is standing in Ashfield? | Who is standing in Ashfield? |
Use the search box below to find your constituency and the candidates who are standing. | Use the search box below to find your constituency and the candidates who are standing. |
If you can't see the look-up click here. | If you can't see the look-up click here. |
Or you can browse the A-Z list. | Or you can browse the A-Z list. |
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