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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Tory threat over Lib Dem leaflets | Tory threat over Lib Dem leaflets |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The Conservatives are threatening two separate legal actions against the Lib Dems over the Henley by-election. | The Conservatives are threatening two separate legal actions against the Lib Dems over the Henley by-election. |
| They have written to the Lib Dems over allegations concerning a local community hospital, which they say their candidate has always supported. | They have written to the Lib Dems over allegations concerning a local community hospital, which they say their candidate has always supported. |
| Unless they receive a retraction by noon, the Tories say they reserve the right to issue a writ. | Unless they receive a retraction by noon, the Tories say they reserve the right to issue a writ. |
| A Lib Dem spokesman said they would not be withdrawing the comments, adding: "We feel we are on firm ground". | A Lib Dem spokesman said they would not be withdrawing the comments, adding: "We feel we are on firm ground". |
| The 26 June by-election was called when Conservative Boris Johnson stood down as Henley MP after being elected London mayor. | The 26 June by-election was called when Conservative Boris Johnson stood down as Henley MP after being elected London mayor. |
| In a separate development, David Cameron told BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Radio Oxford the party was planning to sue the Lib Dems over leaflets implying Boris Johnson backed the Lib Dem candidate. | In a separate development, David Cameron told BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Radio Oxford the party was planning to sue the Lib Dems over leaflets implying Boris Johnson backed the Lib Dem candidate. |
| He said: "We are suing the Liberal Democrats over this so I think we will be in court. | He said: "We are suing the Liberal Democrats over this so I think we will be in court. |
| "We have tried to put a stop to this because it's absolutely appalling. Boris Johnson backs John Howell 100% and this campaign by the Liberals is quite appalling." | "We have tried to put a stop to this because it's absolutely appalling. Boris Johnson backs John Howell 100% and this campaign by the Liberals is quite appalling." |
| Tory sources later clarified the comments by saying the party was taking legal advice over the leaflet. | Tory sources later clarified the comments by saying the party was taking legal advice over the leaflet. |
| It would be highly unusual for a party to sue over claims made in by-election literature. | |
| 'Shameful exercise' | 'Shameful exercise' |
| Mr Johnson has written to Lib Dem campaigns chief Lord Rennard demanding the View magazine leaflet be withdrawn. | Mr Johnson has written to Lib Dem campaigns chief Lord Rennard demanding the View magazine leaflet be withdrawn. |
| Mr Johnson is angry over a 'picture byline' | Mr Johnson is angry over a 'picture byline' |
| He wrote: "My attention has been drawn to your shameful leaflet masquerading as some sort of independent Oxfordshire magazine. | He wrote: "My attention has been drawn to your shameful leaflet masquerading as some sort of independent Oxfordshire magazine. |
| "I ask that you immediately withdraw it since, on the back page, you have what purports to be a picture by-line opinion piece from me giving my assessment of the candidates in the Henley by-election. | "I ask that you immediately withdraw it since, on the back page, you have what purports to be a picture by-line opinion piece from me giving my assessment of the candidates in the Henley by-election. |
| "This is simply a shameful exercise in misrepresentation. | "This is simply a shameful exercise in misrepresentation. |
| "Many readers will be taken in by this deceit and the people of Henley and South Oxfordshire deserve better. | "Many readers will be taken in by this deceit and the people of Henley and South Oxfordshire deserve better. |
| "This is the latest low point in a long and undistinguished history of Liberal Democrat campaigning. It is sad that you have plumbed these new depths. I ask that you withdraw this misleading leaflet without delay." | "This is the latest low point in a long and undistinguished history of Liberal Democrat campaigning. It is sad that you have plumbed these new depths. I ask that you withdraw this misleading leaflet without delay." |
| County councillor John Howell will be the Tory candidate in the Oxfordshire constituency where Mr Johnson had a 12,793 majority in 2005. | County councillor John Howell will be the Tory candidate in the Oxfordshire constituency where Mr Johnson had a 12,793 majority in 2005. |
| Labour's candidate is Richard McKenzie, and the Lib Dems' is Stephen Kearney. The Greens have chosen Mark Stevenson and UKIP have selected Chris Adams. | Labour's candidate is Richard McKenzie, and the Lib Dems' is Stephen Kearney. The Greens have chosen Mark Stevenson and UKIP have selected Chris Adams. |